## **Ripon Disability Forum Annual Report 2023-2024** 

Registered Charity Number 1192414 

Looking back over the period of this report, to the start in April 2023 a lot has been achieved and progress has been made, this is thanks to the dedication of the trustees and the membership. Strictly speaking the reporting year finishes at the end of March, but to provide an up-to-date picture, I have included some of the outcomes which have happened more recently, and some things which are currently been implemented as a result of the planning which has taken place. 

The Trustees have met regularly, to undertake the governance of the organisation. It is with great sadness that we report the death of one of them David Suddards, who had contributed such a lot to the Disability Forum over the years. Stewart Aitken was co-opted to the committee and will be standing for election at the Annual Meeting. 

The monthly membership meetings have been held at Ripon Community House, and we have continued to zoom the meetings, which we started during Covid for those unable to attend in person, either for health reasons or because of rurality. Meetings have focused on sharing information, service issues, consultation and accessibility, but we have recognised that the structured meeting format does not appeal to everyone, so we have recently introduced some single topic meetings, which we have opened to anyone with an interest. Following the success of these, they will be continued along with the introduction of occasional social evenings. Members also had a very instructive visit to Ripon Fire Station. 

We value and appreciate the support and input of the Local Authority and Health Officers and representatives from the other organisations we work with. This liaison and joint working is essential in the achievement of the aims and objectives of the Forum. 

The work of the Forum is funded through a grant from North Yorkshire Council and although there has been a delay in the payment, as explained in the accounts this delay was due legal process following the creation of the new council. We are very grateful for this support. 

We are always seeking to publicize the work of the Forum and to increase the membership, as the numbers of people who can actually attend the meetings is small, but it is increased by those on zoom and a large number in the region of 600 who receive information and take part in consultation through Facebook. In order to improve this, we applied for and were awarded a grant from the Two Ridings Community Fund to develop a website and this is in the making. 



The Disability Forum and the organisations that preceded it have for many years been campaigning for the establishment of a Changing Place in the centre of the City,  We are delighted that this has at long last been achieved through the close co-operation of the Forum with the former Harrogate Borough Council, who obtained a Government Grant and allocated the additional funding, and it is to be opened October 2024. 

One of the principal functions of the Forum is to increase Disability Awareness and the current focus is on a project working with the local businesses and retailers, which is ongoing.  A free training day was arranged and delivered by Nimbus and was attended by 24 people. The work now continues to encourage firms to think and advertise what they can positively offer or work towards. 

Also, in this area of activity, we once again took part in Ripon Sights and Sounds taking a stand in the Cathedral to raise awareness of sight issues. 

The other major project has been the mapping of the city, which will be the subject of the presentation at this year’s Annual General Meeting. this has been a big undertaking which is nearing completion, which  will enable people who have a disability both local residents and visitors to plan their routes around the City using technology. 

During the course of the year, we have worked closely with North Yorkshire Council and Health on publicizing consultations, Accessibility North Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Highways on a number of issues. 

During the year we have also assisted a number of individuals with issues or the need for information and we envisage this area of work increasing as we raise our profile. 

The Forum has played an active part in North Yorkshire Disability Forum and the Questions and Answer Sessions with Richard Webb Corporate Director Health & Social Care Services. 

Looking forward, we need to build our membership and look for some new Trustees as we hope to increase the number of them if the resolution is passed at the AGM. 

To end by finally  thanking everyone for their contribution to the work of the Forum, and to note  in particular Jeremy for all he has done for the organisation in his current role,  Andrew Newton who has been involved for many years but has recently moved from the area.  to the Chair, Trustees, including our two late members David Suddards and just recently Lindy Webb, and to all our members. We look forward to the forthcoming year. 

Lynette Barnes OBE Co-ordinator Ripon Disability Forum 



## **Ripon Disability Forum Accounts for the period 1 April 2023 -31 March 2024** 

|Receipts|2023-2024|2022/2023|Payments|23/24|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|NYCC Contract|||||
|Ripon City Council Grant||500.94|Room Hire|847.76|
|Bank Interest|8.98|439.62|Insurance  DBS|361.52|
|Local Comm Grant|2940-00|461.83|Communicatons/ Subs|585.5|
|Refund|6.49||Ofce Supplies|51.8|
|||1486.37|Employment Exp|1751.63|
|||115.2|Travel Expense|242.8|
||||Training|1440-00|
|||83.25|Bank Charges|60.75|
|||759.95|Recording Equipment||
||**2955.47**|**3847.16**||**5341.76**|



Expenditure  -               General NY Contract Expenditure 5341.76 3901.76 Disability Awareness Training 1440-00 The Disability Training expenditure was covered by C/f 856.57 with the remaining  from general funds 583.43 1440 07/10/2024