2023-06-30-accounts

Annual Report 2022-23

Enabling places where We’re All Valued Equally

Registered Charity Number: 1190354. Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements - Year to 30 June 2023

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This has been a year of significant growth for WAVE for Change. We have been fully focussed on our three strategic pillars of Inspiring , Encouraging and Enabling mixed ability activities and events to happen in more communities. We’ve taken the opportunity to share our ethos via various conferences, publications and workshops, and this has prompted new WAVE inspired groups to spring up in various parts of the country. We’re very grateful for the WAVEmakers and the mixedability teams who have worked hard to establish these groups and make them places that equally welcome those with and without learning disabilities (LD). Our new quarterly forums have provided the opportunity for WAVEmakers, and those exploring the potential to start an inclusive initiative in their community, to come together (online), share their experiences and encourage each other. We are motivated by the fact that our WAVE in a Box resource (launched mid 2022) is enabling others to establish genuinely inclusive worship groups and social places, with greater ease and confidence.

Our growing network has required more central capacity and in the second half of the year we commenced the search for a part-time CEO.

We continue to be excited by the opportunities that are opening up to share our experience and resources more widely with churches of all denominations, other inclusion charities and community groups.

Co-Chairs of Trustees, WAVE for Change

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CONTENTS

1. About WAVE

2. Our Focus this year (2022-23)

3. Our Reach and Impact

4. Thanks to our supporters

5. Our Plans for 2023-24

6. Financial Summary

Appendices

Trustees and Responsibilities

Legal and Administration information

Trustee Declaration

Constitution Theory of Change Reviewed Accounts

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1. ABOUT WAVE:

WAVE stands for We’re All Valued Equally. We want to see more places where people with and without learning disabilities (LD) can comfortably mix and enjoy each other’s company as equals. Our approach is to do things with not for each other.

We have seen time and time again how genuinely inclusive places transform negative attitudes around learning disability – both at the personal and community level.

Why our work is needed?

• Research shows that mixed-ability social interactions help to overcome anxiety and lack of confidence around people who are ‘different’ to us

• Most people currently have little or no experience of mixing with individuals of different abilities because there are few places in communities that make this easy to do - people with a learning disability can be as anxious about this as those without

• The majority of adults with and without learning disabilities are however open to the idea of joining in with mixed-ability activities – we need more places in communities that do this.

How our participants describe WAVE

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2. WHAT WE DO

We inspire , encourage and enable those who want to start vibrant inclusive social and worship groups - where everyone is valued equally - in their communities.

People most likely to be aware of this need include individuals with learning disabilities, their family members, friends, teachers and other professionals who work in the area of disability, as well as community workers in places of worship. We aim to inspire and encourage new WAVEmakers to work with interested people/organisations to help understand their community needs and identify ways to create all-inclusive groups. We share our learnings and practical tips/templates within our comprehensive 'WAVE in a Box', built from over 10 years of running mixed-ability events in Muswell Hill. We connect them with other existing/potential WAVEmakers to discuss their questions and concerns.

To enable this work we offer our mixed-ability team to help run Taster events and use WAVE in a Box (an online resource that condenses over a decade of experience into practical guidance and templates). Our mixed-ability team work alongside potential WAVEmakers to plan and execute initial Taster events in their communities. We help WAVEmakers to be confident and capable to continue building these mixed-ability connections in the long run. In addition, we organize WAVEmaker forums on a quarterly basis to connect potential and current WAVEmakers, and offer support on an ongoing basis.

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3. OUR FOCUS THIS YEAR

This year, we set six key objectives:

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Progress?
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1. Build awareness

2. Collect impact data

3. Establish 5+ new groups

We sought opportunities to share the In 2021/22 we collected benchmark data The number of WAVE groups increased WAVE story with audiences in London and from WAVE groups on their teams and level from 4 to 10, with new groups in London, beyond. This included at Big Connect of mixing (members with and without LDs St Neots, Great Yarmouth, Ilkley and (central London gathering promoting attending events etc). We’ve now updated Hull. This means that the number of inclusion); Collaboration Station in that data to quantify the impact WAVE mixed ability connections happening in Coventry (building inclusive communities); groups are having (see page 8) and collected line with WAVE’s all valued equally ethos St Padarns Institute in Wales (theological benchmark data for the new groups. To (the key to shifting negative attitudes college); and at Alexandra Palace’s 150 better understand the experience of and experience around learning birthday celebration. running a group, a volunteer university disability) has increased significantly. graduate worked with us to collect We also had magazine articles published qualitative data from all the original groups. There are two further groups in the and contributed to podcasts. pipeline and several others with whom “I have been welcomed into a community we’re having productive conversations. that I believe shows me truly what it means “So inspired by what you’re doing with to be inclusive” “A real feeling of a growing ‘wave’ of WAVE – we need you here” momentum”

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4. Hold a quarterly WAVEmaker 5. Increase funding from grants and 6. Have more fun! Forum sponsorship

We held three online WAVEmaker forums We have been working to diversify our Attend a WAVE group and you’re during the year for encouragement, sources of funding beyond individual guaranteed to smile! There’s something learning and sharing of insights. Some donors. about people of all abilities ‘mucking in’ group leaders have considerable together that is joyous to see. experience running inclusive groups, some During a season when many small charities are just getting started, and others are have struggled financially, we were grateful We certainly had fun at Alexandra simply at the stage of exploring to receive our first multi-year grant to Palace’s 150th anniversary party. A possibilities. Participants can share their enable the appointment of a part-time staff mixed-ability team encouraged visitors challenges and success stories, ask member to increase our capacity to respond to decorate a ‘hand’ and hang it on the questions and problem-solve together. to enquiries. WAVE ”Friendship tree”. A great opportunity to meet new people and “I've received some fantastic advice from share our ethos. others in the forum. Exactly what I “We wish you every success for the needed!” invaluable work that you do” “It’s all about integration – pure integration, and fun”

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3. OUR REACH AND IMPACT

As a result of new WAVE groups and growth within our existing groups, we now have:

• 72 mixed-ability team members (15 of them with a learning disability) – a 70+% increase over 2021/22

• Over 340 group participants (95 of them with a learning disability) – more or less double the number last year

Most of these groups meet monthly (two are weekly), showing that across the year there are literally hundreds of opportunities for those with and without learning disabilities to make new connections and build friendships.

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CONNECTIONS BEING MADE THROUGH WAVE
With a learning disability Without a learning disability
350
300
250
252
200
150
100 87
57 95
50
32 40
10 15
0
Mixed ability team Mixed ability team WAVE group WAVE group
members - Jul '22 members - Jun '23 participants - Jul'22 participants - Jun'23
Number of people
----- End of picture text -----

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Behind these statistics are individuals and groups who feel the very real benefits of places where people of all abilities can spend time together as equals.

WAVE Church Mill Hill

Brenda came to see WAVE Church Muswell Hill and has then been instrumental in setting up a similar group in Mill Hill. Talking about one of their first new members, she says: “B has just turned 18. He has LD and possibly autism too. He doesn't generally like joining in with activities, and when he does, is quite dismissive. It was great to see him joining in with WAVE - he actively took part and showed that he was enjoying it . When I asked if he would come again, I was surprised that he didn't hesitate to say 'yes!'“

St Neots Faith and Craft

Last year Sue, seeing the need for inclusive places in her community, asked WAVE for help. We took a mixed-ability team to St Neots and helped her and a local team to run a WAVE Taster event. The feedback was great and Sue has now established a regular WAVE Faith and Craft event. Sue says: “We’ve got a format now that works well and while it’s not a walk in the park it does make it easier to plan sessions.”

WAVE Café Muswell Hill

This group has been running for several years, with the weekly café offering yoga and art activities in addition to tasty food (prepared and served by a mixed-ability team). It attracts a mixture of people with and without learning disabilities and this opportunity to interact is really appreciated. One member, without a learning disability, said that the biggest impact of being at WAVE was being comfortable around people with learning disabilities, as well as gaining ‘’an awareness of how people with learning disabilities are contributing to society”

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4. THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Donors and Funders

We are grateful to the small but loyal number of personal donors who have regularly contributed to our work and to those who felt moved to support us with generous ad-hoc donations this year.

As we now employ several people in order to grow our work, we are reliant on grants to cover these staff costs

We are particularly grateful to the Charitable Trust who gave us our first multi year grant, £16,680 for each of two years to help cover staffing costs.

Gifts of time and talent appreciated

The Cinnamon Network’s two-year Incubator Programme (with an estimated value of £20k) continues to provide invaluable training and mentoring.

We are very grateful to award-winning photographer Kristina Varaksina who has given her time and talent to take wonderful photos of children from WAVE’s Challenge Group. These photos, many taken with a sibling in celebration of mixed ability families, will be part of an exhibition in Autumn 2023.

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5. OUR PLANS FOR 2023

Plans for 2023-24 are:

• Create and host an exhibition of photographs (by Kristina Varaksina) of children and siblings from WAVE’s Challenge Group (where families support each other when adjusting to parenting a child with additional needs). Through this event, increase awareness of the importance of creating more inclusive communities and the benefits of mixed-ability places where all are valued equally

• Look for more opportunities to hold WAVE Taster events, where communities can ‘taste and see’ what mixed-ability socialising could look like for them

• Recruit more WAVEmakers and have at least one WAVEmaker Forum in person

• Continue to build a mixed-ability team to support Taster Events and other awareness-raising and social events. Strengthen our central team through recruitment as we grow

• Hold a major fund-raising event and continue to apply for grants. We will also develop ideas for fundraising campaigns that encourage mixed-ability engagement

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6. FINANCIAL SUMMARY

WAVE for Change started the year with an opening cash balance of £31,826.

We are very grateful for the generous financial support we had in the year from both our regular and ad hoc donors, raising circa £32,471 mainly via a mix of donations (£13,763) and Grants (£18, 383) which is marginally higher than the previous year. We also benefited from a Co-Founder volunteering as a full-time CEO.

We invested circa £45,131 over the year – key elements being £15,447 on staff, £3,567 on operations and £26,404 on 4 core projects; WAVEmakers, Mixed Ability Team & Tasters, Ally Pally 150 Year Celebration and the LIVING WITH Exhibition.

As of 30th June 2022, WAVE for Change’s balance of funds was £19,166. These funds are mainly unrestricted and available to be used in accordance with our charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. It is our policy to maintain a balance of at least three months’ cash reserves to cover operating expenses, a policy that we have maintained successfully throughout the year. This prudent approach to carefully managing our resources will be maintained as we seek to grow our activities and move to a mix of more permanently employed staff and volunteers.

We built a strong balance to be able to invest in paid staff to support our next phase of growth and to fund core projects that are directly linked to our charitable aims e.g. WAVE in a Box and linking with WAVEmakers. We aim to raise further required funds from a combination of increased regular giving, ad-hoc fundraising campaigns and targeted charity grants from Trusts and other Funders. Reaching out to our personal networks, running fundraising events and improving supporter communications will be key to enabling this.

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APPENDICES

TRUSTEES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Declaration: The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees' Report, signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees

Full name	Signed	Position	Date
Ian J Hardie		Co-Chair	25 March 2024

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LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Charity name	WAVE for Change (commonly known as WAVE)
Charity number	1190354
Operating address	35 Windermere Road, London, N10 2RD
Website	www.waveforchange.org.uk

Name	Office	Appointed	Resigned
Ian Hardie	Co-Chair	18.05.2020
Anchal Gupta	Co-Chair	05.05.2021
Stephanie Buckingham	Trustee	18.05.2020
Toby Morrison	Trustee	18.05.2020
Ingrid Skinner	Trustee	18.05.2020
Ellie Williams	Trustee	20.10.2020
Graeme Salt	Trustee	16.02.2022

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TRUSTEE DECLARATION

The trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers or duties.

The trustees are reporting the financial activities of the charity on a ‘Receipts and Payments’ basis using a template recommended by the Charity Commission for small non-company charities with a gross income of £250,000 or less.

WAVE is governed by a board of trustees with co-chairs. One of the co-founders has taken on the role as temporary CEO while we recruit; the other has an active role as an ambassador. Our director resigned in June 2023 after two years where she was largely responsible for launching WAVE in a Box. We are awaiting the arrival of a new CEO before making further decisions about her replacement. We have an operations coordinator who is also taking on responsibility for our relationship with new and prospective WAVE groups. Finally, we rely on a mix of volunteers and contractors.

New trustees receive a copy of the constitution, accounts and latest trustees’ meeting minutes. They are interviewed by both co-chairs and one of the founders, and they attend one trustees' meeting as guests prior to their appointment being confirmed by a vote of current trustees.

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CONSTITUTION

The object of the CIO, which is to be carried out, working inclusively with those of all faiths or none, is: To promote equality and diversity for the public benefit, in such geographical areas as the trustees shall determine, by working with people with and without learning disabilities to reduce discrimination based on abilities and foster an environment in which social places are genuinely inclusive and accessible to all, in particular, but not exclusively by:

1. Raising awareness among the general public of the need to equally value people of all abilities

2. Promoting inclusivity through the establishment of inclusive and accessible mixed-ability worship and social gatherings (which will reduce social segregation/isolation and build friendships, whether undertaken digitally or in person)

3. Promoting the establishment of inclusive and accessible mixed-ability social groups that co-create community-based activities where people with and without learning disabilities are encouraged to do things with and not for each other

4. Providing advice and support (based on the charity's own research) to organisations and individuals seeking to develop inclusive and accessible mixed-ability groups and activities.

Our Values : In Faith & Love : Simply : Having fun : Creatively : Inclusively : Safely

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