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2024-03-31-accounts

S.A.F.E. ESSEX

Charity registration number 1188739

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

S.A.F.E. ESSEX

CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Page
Trustees annual report 1-5
Independent Examiners Report 6
Statement of Financial Accounts 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9-12

S.A.F.E. ESSEX

TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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 Sorrell N Spalding

Registered Address:

43 Buttercup Way, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7RY

Page 1

SAFE Annual Review of Activities

SAFE provides support for individuals on the autistic spectrum without learning disabilities and their families throughout the County of Essex including the Unitary Boroughs of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. During 2023/24, SAFE modified its name to remove the term ‘Asperger’ and added a strapline under its new logo stating, ‘Supporting Difference’.

In Memory of Carolann Jackson, Founding Chair & President of SAFE

It was with great sadness that during this year, SAFE lost its Founding Chair & President, Carolann Jackson. Carolann had a major impact on our community when she set up SAFE in 1997, the year her 14-year-old daughter Nita was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (then, the official diagnosis of what is now referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disabilities). She created SAFE in the hope of meeting other families affected by Asperger’s as there were no other services available for our special group of people. During her more than 20 years of active involvement with SAFE, Carolann worked tirelessly, volunteering her time and energy to lobby government (local, county, and national) to push for support for people with Asperger’s. After her daughter left school, and with no specialised services in sight for adults, she created ASAP – Asperger’s Syndrome Adults and Parents, to specifically address issues adults on the spectrum were facing such as difficulties around finding employment, housing, and meaningful relationships. ASAP continues through the leadership of SAFE member Edgar Marshall and offers our community the chance to bridge the gap with activities for those who wish to socialise together and seek help. Carolann will be missed by all, and especially by her daughter Nita.

Membership

The SAFE membership stood at 66 families representing 74 people on the autistic spectrum disorder. Approximately 84% of those members were in the 18+ age group and 38% live in the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea or Thurrock .

Members are provided practical, emotional, and information-based support at regular meetings and enjoy monthly SAFE Newsletters and ad hoc emails specifically geared to pass on relevant items of interest to adults on the spectrum and families. SAFE advocates for the needs of people on the spectrum both at local and national levels. 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 during this year included a total of 87 children attending. The age group increased to 11-16 with 3 members taking their GCSE’s this year and finishing secondary school with the older participants, having been members of SAFE STUFF for many years. Over the year, the core group of SAFE STUFF members has been low with a couple of children attending on a trial basis throughout. A combination of exams as well as other social activities including theatre school have reduced attendance this year. There have been no new, younger children joining regularly. Parents and their children stay in touch via a WhatsApp group to offer each other support and advice and friendships also exist outside of SAFE STUFF. Those attending have enjoyed 20 sessions in total , spread across Essex. This was Lyann’s

SAFE – Supporting Difference Registered Office: 43 Buttercup Way, Southminster, Essex CM0 7RY Email: info@safeessex.org.uk • Website: www.safeessex.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1188739

last season with SAFE STUFF, having coordinated the group for 4 years. A new coordinator, Lesley Barnes will begin her Co-ordinating role in September 2024.

Activities enjoyed during the past year included:

We are grateful to the Sir Alastair & Patricia Stewart Fund for supporting SAFE STUFF activities. Some memorable quotes from the outings included:

SAFE Youth Club continued to meet monthly during 2023/24, with Katie Ringer taking up the voluntary role of leading the group in January 2024, following Clive Matthews stepping down after over 10 years of leading the group. The new group met twice between February and March 2024 and involved two families with a total of 3 young people participating in the activities booked: laser tag and augmented reality darts.

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. The group was created at the request of parents who struggled to find an activity that was suited to their daughter, rather than the more boy-centric activity groups available. The group now includes in excess of 30 families with its reach extending beyond the girls and young women as it also includes their parents.

When meeting in person sessions vary in number of participants, but on average the group involves at least 12-15 attendees, girls and their parents attend different sessions according to their personal circumstances but say in touch via a WhatsApp group. On Zoom there are a smaller number of regulars (around 4-6) who are unable to attend in person. Here is some feedback about this group:

SAFE – Supporting Difference Registered Office: 43 Buttercup Way, Southminster, Essex CM0 7RY Email: info@safeessex.org.uk • Website: www.safeessex.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1188739

The SAFE SPA (Social Participation for Adults) group met virtually on a weekly basis via Zoom with a core number of around 6 adults who meet in person and in addition to these, a further 4-6 meet up via Zoom. The group is funded by the Southend Community Investment Board and Rosca.

The SAFE Women’s Group also met weekly via Zoom and in person once a month in Great Baddow. This group has been running for around eight years and has a membership of 30 women. The in-person group regularly sees around 18 of these women attending at different times with an average of 12 per session; others prefer to meet up on Zoom or chat within the WhatsApp group.

ASAP - SAFE’s regular support group meetings for parents of children and for parents and adult members aged 18+ continues to meet monthly 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 could meet others in the wider autistic community. Since launching, we have around 12-15 members taking part at Anke's Cafe in Westcliff. Some of these young people do not leave the home except for this group and have found a safe space in which they can be themselves and make friends.

SAFE Achievement Awards - Each year, with support from the Jack Petchey Foundation, SAFE awards two members with a diagnosis of autism without a learning disability, or are waiting for one, who has had a significant achievement during the year. Each Achievement Award given annually at our AGM, are given a cup, certificate and a cheque for £50. At last year’s AGM, the winners were: Jamie Irwin for the Under 18 Award, and Alan Marriage for the 18+ Award.

Website and advocacy

SAFE has a new logo and website designed on a pro bono basis by Emily Hewitt from I Am Emily - https://www.iamemily.co.uk/ . SAFE is grateful to Emily for providing this significant in-kind support. Once the website is finalised, SAFE will set out a campaign to advertise the launch of the new website, and the range of activities available to members, as a way of attracting new members. SAFE’s presence on Facebook continues including posts concerning autism without a learning disability; there are now 1.5k people regularly ‘following’ the SAFE Facebook page. Here is a selection of feedback received:

SAFE – Supporting Difference Registered Office: 43 Buttercup Way, Southminster, Essex CM0 7RY Email: info@safeessex.org.uk • Website: www.safeessex.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1188739

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 funds and resources to enable us to provide the activities for our members. We were delighted that during the year, two SAFE members ran Facebook fundraising campaigns in aid of SAFE: Fern Potter raised £548, and Rob Curly through is bungee jump raising £345. Other funders during the past year include:

Future Development

During the past year, the Executive took on board comments from members about changing the name of our charity from SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX to SAFE, with a strapline ‘Supporting Difference’ to reflect the fact that diagnoses of Aspergers Syndrome are no longer being made. The new name was launched with a new look logo and a promotional campaign about our work with be a priority to implement in the coming year. The Executive believes with greater profile, SAFE will be able to increase its membership to previous levels, particularly among those who have younger children diagnosed on the spectrum.

Alongside the promotional campaign, SAFE will focus on recruiting new members to its Executive, to ensure smooth running of the charity. Without a strong Executive, SAFE will be limited in what it can achieve. Members are strongly asked to consider whether they may be willing to join the Executive to safeguard the charity’s future.

SAFE – Supporting Difference Registered Office: 43 Buttercup Way, Southminster, Essex CM0 7RY Email: info@safeessex.org.uk • Website: www.safeessex.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1188739

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of S.A.F.E. ESSEX {SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX) On accounts for the year 31 March 2024 ended Charity no lif any) 1188739 S¢t out on pages I report lo the Iruslees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 3110312024. Responsibilities and As the charity Iruslees, you are responsible for the prepafation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charrties Act 2011 I'the Act'i. I report in lespect of my examination of the chanty's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in c8rrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission nder section 14515}Ib} of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examinatson which gives me ause lo 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 wrth the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no COn￿M$ and have come across no olher matters in mnnection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order lo enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reach&J. Signed: Date: 2710112025 Name: David Robb Relevant professional Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute qualificationls) or body Affiliate member AssocIat￿n of Charity Independent Examiners {if any): MBA Address: 33 Clatterfield Gardens Weslcliff on Sea SSO OAU IER Page 6

S.A.F.E. ESSEX

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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
£
2024
Total
£
114
-
114
1,259
37,006
38,265
1,373
37,006
38,379
3,123
34,010
37,133
523
-
523
3,646
34,010
37,656
(2,273)
2,996
723
(152)
153
1
(2,425)
3,149
724
16,400
13,053
29,453
13,975
16,202
30,177

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

Page 7

S.A.F.E. ESSEX

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

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		 2024
£
309
29,868
-
30,177
30,177
16,201
13,976
30,177

Approved by the trustees on 20/11/2024 and signed on their behalf by:

TIM RENNIE

TRUSTEE

Page 8

S.A.F.E. ESSEX

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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 9

S.A.F.E. ESSEX

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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 2024
£ £ £
114 - 114
- - -
114 - 114

Page 10

S.A.F.E. ESSEX

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Charitable activities
Membership fees
Grants
Costs of charitable activities
ASAP
SAFE SPA
Safe Womens Group
Safe 18+
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
2024
£
£
£
1,259
-
1,259
37,006
37,006
1,259
37,006
38,265
Unrestricted
Restricted
2024
£
£
£
-
1,922
1,922
-
3,500
3,500
-
3,505
3,505
-
882
882
-
2,868
2,868
-
247
247
-
247
247
-
6,757
6,757
-
-
-
-
13,646
13,646
-
436
436
1,211
-
1,211
995
-
995
361
-
361
281
-
281
-
-
-
198
-
198
77
-
77
3,123
34,010
37,133
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,123
34,010
37,133
Unrestricted
Restricted
2024
£
£
£
523
-
523
523
-
523

Page 11

S.A.F.E. ESSEX

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

6. Tangible fixed assets

Cost

As at 1st April 2023 Additions

As at 31st March 2024

Depreciation

As at 1st April 2023 Charge for the year As at 31st March 2024

Net book value As at 31st March 2024

As at 31st March 2023

Equipment

£ 1,350 - 1,350 964 77 1,041 309 386

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
Safe 18+
Andrea - Southend Work
Achievement Awards
Unallocated
Total Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds		 Balance as at Income
Expenditure
Transfers Balance as at
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
£
£
£
£
£
-
(3,500)
3,500
-
-
(3,115)
3,115
-
2,030
700
(6,757)
4,027
-
-
-
-
-
-
(247)
247
-
-
(3,505)
3,505
-
-
500
(13,646)
13,146
-
4,057
300
(1,923)
1
2,435
-
8,194
(882)
7,312
1,977
23,512
(24,178)
1,311
3,779
1,800
(436)
5,143
1,210
2,000
(3,210)
-
13,053
37,006
(34,011)
153
16,201
16,400
1,373
(3,645)
(152)
13,976
29,453
38,379
(37,656)
1
30,177

Page 12