Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From period start date 01.01.2024 To period end date 01.01.2025
Charity name: 21 Plus
Charity registration number: 1194335
Objectives and Activities
| Objectives and Activities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| SORP reference |
|||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 21 Plus is a registered charity that supports nurtures and empowers children and young people with down syndrome and their families. Our core purposes are: To enable people with Down’s syndrome to reach their full potential and live fulfilled and active lives, through the provision of training, support, education and practical advice. To promote the education of the public, parents and carers of people with Down’s syndrome, and professionals involved in their care and education, in the specific needs and abilities of people with Down’s syndrome. |
|
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
We offer a range of services to our families (subscribers). Our services are delivered by Symbol trained co-workers who work as sub-contractors to the Charity to deliver these services. They are: “Talk Time” |
Talk Time is a communication group for children with Down’s syndrome. It is run by our expert “Symbol” trained coworkers, who provide a very specialist speech and language session tailored to the learning profile of a child with Down’s syndrome. Sessions run on a weekly basis throughout term time for children aged 6 months to 11 years. Children with Down’s syndrome have a specific Speech and Language disorder, so early intervention is crucial. Children initially attend sessions with their parents. As the children start nursery/reception Teaching Assistants from schools also attend and learn these valuable early years skills, so that they can replicate the appropriate support in school. Sessions target a number of key skills including signing, sound production, target vocabulary, reading and sequencing. “Talk About ” Talk About is a youth group for young people with Down’s syndrome aged from 11-19. These sessions currently run fortnightly. During these sessions there is an hour of communicationfocused activities, run by our “Symbol” trained co-workers. This circle group model follows on from the speech and language groups for younger children. These sessions focus on communication, relationships, community and identity, and provide opportunities to: Meet up with friends and make new friends Socialise and take part in fun activities with facilitation Talk about their lives in a safe environment Get support with speech and language skills, including speech
production, vocabulary skills, and social skills Practice skills in making and maintaining relationships, assertion, and self-expression Young people with Down’s syndrome are showing the world how much they can achieve given the right support. However, many still struggle with low expectations of what they can achieve. They commonly find it difficult to understand social situations and react appropriately, with the added pressure of puberty and relationships, they can really benefit from having a safe space with professionals who understand them, to learn these vital skills. Using a syndrome specific approach our skilled staff can help the young people express themselves to the best of their ability, whilst facilitating appropriate social and behavioural responses to new social situations. The young people will explore their own identities and how they interact with the world around them. How young people manage social situations, relationships and challenges is key in enabling them to access their communities and build meaningful relationships with those around them. “Day Summer Camp” The Annual Sport and Speech Camp offers intensive, specialist speech and language input from Symbol UK combined with a range of sporting activities to children aged 7-13 years old. Sport is used as a basis for the camp as there are many positive aspects to being involved with a physical activity as well as giving our children the opportunity to access a range of sports that they would have limited opportunities to experience. We use specially trained coaches from the Welsh Rugby Union and Gymnastics Wales to name but a few.
| We also add in occupational therapy |
|---|
| with a very particular focus on sensory |
| processing disorder - this is a very |
| poorly understood issue for many of our |
| children. |
| All the children are given a report from |
| the therapists at the end of the week |
| which can be taken away and shared |
| with their Schools and Local Speech |
| and Language Providers involved in |
| their care. |
| All families are given information about |
| local sport clubs who are |
| inclusive. Two of the children who |
| attended previous camps have since |
| gone on to undertake some preliminary |
| training as sport coaches/ambassadors. |
| We also deliver communication training |
| to coaches in order to improve access |
| to sport for children with Down’s |
| Syndrome in South Wales. |
| “Residential Summer Camp” |
| The camp offered intensive, specialist |
| speech and language input from |
| Symbol UK combined with a range of |
| activities, including sports and drama, |
| and the opportunity for our young |
| people to spend time away from home |
| in a safe environment. |
| Young people took part in a range of |
| outdoor activities, including archery, |
| canoeing, rifle shooting, low ropes and |
| swimming; as well as a daily 1.5-hour |
| communication based session with our |
| resident Speech and Language |
| Therapist from Symbol UK. During the |
| week our Speech and Language |
| Therapist worked with small groups |
| alongside the young people as they took |
| part in the outdoor activities. They were |
| supported with understanding of |
| activities and facilitating social |
| interaction and communication within |
| the activities. |
| “School Support Service” |
| Our school support team can support both primary and secondary schools to include pupils with Down’s syndrome effectively in school life and learning; our team have experience of supporting children in a variety of settings and with a variety of challenges. The service can offer observations of pupils and provide recommendations and a report. Whole school ‘twilight’ sessions, teaching assistant sessions, follow-up reviews and remote support are also available. Advice can be given on all aspects of inclusion, speech and language support, understanding behaviour and curriculum access. Following the pandemic, we have seen a surge in need for this service as our children and young people have struggled in their return to school following such a long disruption to learning. We do not charge schools for this service because they simply have no additional funds for this support. Schools are so grateful for the work we do with them as the strategies and support we provide can benefit so many of the children in school who also may be struggling with aspects of learning. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | 21 Plus Trustees are fully aware and have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including |
Para 1.38 |
| program related investment |
||
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Our camps provide opportunities which are often outside the reach of disabled children. They encourage new friendships and relationships, which encourages self awareness, confidence and self esteem. We are promoting independence with time away from their families, in a safe and supportive environment. We know that impaired communication skills have a negative impact on the opportunities for children and young people with Down’s Syndrome. By improving and increasing those skills we can directly enhance the lives of these children. Many of the children involved in the camps do not have access to regular speech and language therapy. For some, this will be the only input they receive throughout the year These services are crucial to our children and young people, they provide them with the much needed opportunity to socialise with their peers and to gain access to specialist speech and language support which remains one of their biggest challenges in life. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Total Income £70,939.97 Total Expenditure £71,393.89 Loss reported £453.92 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £0 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | The Charity’s approach to spending and its regular review of its budget means ensures there is always sufficient funds available to meet its needs. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Grant applications Fundraising |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The Charity is CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | All members of 21 Plus are invited to become Trustees if they so wish. We also advertise externally for Trustees. Anybody who has an interest in becoming a trustee must submit an expression of interest and has to be DBS checked. Trustees are re-appointed and re-elected at our AGM. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | 21 Plus |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses |
| Registered charity number | 1194335 |
|---|---|
| Charity’s principal address | 11 Pant-y-Fforest Ebbw Vale Gwent NP23 5FR |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabrielle Preece | Chair | |||
| Nikki Braun | Secretary | |||
| Rachel Champken |
Treasurer | |||
| Bridgid Corr | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity
Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements N/A for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) G Preece Full name(s) Gabrielle Preece Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 26.10.2025
21 PLUS REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1194335 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1st JANUARY 2025
21 PLUS (REGISTERED CHARITY: 1194335)
CONTENTS
Page
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2 Treasurer's Report
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3 Income and Expenditure
Account 4 - 5 Balance Sheet
Page 1
21 PLUS (REGISTERED CHARITY: 1194335)
TREASURER'S REPORT
The treasurer's report on the unaudited financial statements to the committee of 21 Plus.
The Treasurer's statement for the period ended 1 January 2025 is set out on pages 3 to 5. The charity is exempt from an audit.
In accordance with committee instructions, I have compiled these unaudited financial statements from the accounting records and information supplied to me.
Rachel Champken
Page 2
21 PLUS (REGISTERED CHARITY: 1194335) INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
for the year ended 1st January 2025
| Income | 2024 | 2023 |
| Donations (including Local Giving) | 12800.04 | 19,176.81 |
| Local giving | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Associate Members | 180.00 | 210.00 |
| Full Members | 699.04 | 620.00 |
| Events/ Socials | 2701.27 | 320.00 |
| Fundraising | 9,579.62 | 10,942.01 |
| Grants Received: Blackwood Engineering | 13,000.00 | 30,765.75 |
| Grants Received: Mandarin Stone | 10,000.00 | |
| Grants Received: Postcode Community | 10,000.00 | |
| Day Summer camp | 6,400.00 | 11,770.00 |
| Residential Summer camp | 5,055.00 | 4,431.00 |
| School Support Service | 505.00 | 2.965.70 |
| Youth Group | 20.00 | |
| Unclassified | ||
| Total income | 70,939.97 | 81,201.27 |
| Expenditure | 2024 | 2023 |
| Administration | 909.40 | 710.29 |
| Safeguarding | 166.37 | 216.84 |
| Day Summer camp | 7,583.61 | 9,189.22 |
| Events | 3,576.75 | 1,749.24 |
| Banking Fees | 139.16 | 27.00 |
| Membership management (MMC) | 192.52 | 274.48 |
| Residential Summer camp | 14,374.04 | 7,817.96 |
| Services | 744.99 | 724.00 |
| School support | 21,447.18 | 18,948.77 |
| Talk time | 18,508.77 | 14,239.15 |
| Youth group | 3,751.10 | 2,167.87 |
| Total expenditure | 71,393.89 | 56,064.82 |
| Profit/(Loss) | (453.92) | 25,136.45 |
Page 3
21 PLUS (REGISTERED CHARITY: 1194335) BALANCE SHEET
as at 1 January 2025
| 2024 £ Current assets Cash at bank 39,781.53 Current Liabilities Committed Monies Net assets 39,781.53 Representing reserves Surplus b/f 40,235.45 Profit/(loss) for the year (453.92) Reserves 0 Total 39,781.53 |
2023 £ 40,235.45 40,235.45 15,099.00 25,136.45 0 40,235.45 |
|---|---|
Page 4
21 PLUS (REGISTERED CHARITY: 1194335)
Treasurer's statement
In approving these financial statements as treasurer, I hereby confirm:
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(a) that for the period stated above the charity was entitled to the exemption;
-
(b) that I acknowledge my responsibilities for:
-
(1) ensuring that the Charity keeps the accounting records required by the HM Customs and Revenue.
(2) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of
the state of affairs of the Charity as at the end of the financial year and of its surplus/(deficit) for the year.
These financial statements are prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable under the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).
The financial statements on pages 3 to 5 were approved by the ------------ charity on and signed on its behalf by:
Rachel Champken
TREASURER
Page S
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examineVs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner'3 Report Report to the tru$teesl membe1¥ of 21 Plus On accounts for the year ended 1st January 2025 Charity no Irf any 1194335 Set out on pages I report to the Irustees my examination of the accounts of the above Gharity (Ihe Tnjst'l for the year ended 1° January 2024. R•sponsibiliti•s and ba81s of roport As the charity's trU8e$, you are responsible for thè preparation of the a¢counts in accordance with the requirements of the Chsrrties Act 2011 ("the Acl") I iewil iii respeci ol my exarriindlivri vl Ilie Tiu>l'> accounts Garried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llb) of the A. Independent I have complétéd my oxaminats'on. I confimi that no material matters h8V8 examiner's Statement come lo my attention in connection with the examination {other than that disclosed below '} which gives me cause to believe Ih8t in, any material respect.. the accounting records were keo In accorclance wrth section 130 of the Charities Act." or the accounts did not accord with the a¢counling records", or the a¢¢ounl$ did not comply with the applicable requirements conccming tho fom and content of account5 set out in (he Cliarilies (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter cOnser8d as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no niher matters In eonnethion with the examination lo which ention shoukl be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper un tanding of the accounls lo be reached. ' Ploase e the words in brackels ilthey do not apply. Signed: Date: 1711012025 obert Jones Relev•nt professional qualificationls) or body Irf any)- FCCA Address: 220 Slow Hill, Newport, NP20 4HA IER Oct 2018
Section B Di$¢losure Only complete If the exarniner needs lo highlight material mallers of concem {see C.C.22 Independent examination of charrty arrA)unls'. directions and gUan for examiners). Glve here brief delalls of any it•ms that tho exaininer wi8he3 to disclose. Not applicable IER Oct 2018