THE SENSORY PLACE TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
The Sensory Place Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1—6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Comparative Statement of Financial Activities | 9 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 10 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 11—15 |
| The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts: | |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 16 |
The Sensory Place Trustees' Report For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2025.
Objectives and Activities
Aims and Objectives
The objectives of the CIO are to relieve the needs of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities in the North East of England by providing a support network in the form of support groups, sensory friendly activities, training courses, facilities for play, sport and recreation in a safe, secure and non-judgemental environment.
To promote social inclusion amongst parents/carers who are socially isolated or excluded as a result of their child’s condition by providing information, advice, guidance, practical support and recreational facilities in order to promote their life conditions.
Vision
Our vision is that all children and young people no matter what their disability have the same opportunities for play, recreation and fun as their non-disabled peers and that they are free to be able to be themselves.
Mission
Our mission is to provide inclusive and accessible activities for all children and young people with additional needs and disabilities and to give them opportunities they may not otherwise have. We also endeavour to support the whole family by providing family friendly activities and training and information sessions for parents and carers as well as opportunities for them to be relieved of the caring responsibilities even for a short period.
We will do this by :
Researching appropriate, family friendly activities that are inclusive to all.
Speaking to our families to find out what they would like to do.
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Recognise the contribution and sacrifices that siblings and other family members make and welcoming them to activities.
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Provide safe spaces, free from judgement where families can come together to relax and make friends.
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Provide a wide range of things to do. We aim to offer activities where there is something for everyone to choose from.
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Remove age and location barriers to activities. Where funding dictates that certain ages or locations are specified. We will utilise other funding to ensure that families who fall out of these brackets can still attend.
Signpost families to other organisations where they can receive the support they need.
Offering activities at a subsidised rate or for free.
- Providing training sessions to give parent carers information, advice and guidance on a range of subjects that will make their parenting journey easier.
...CONTINUED
Page 1
The Sensory Place Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
Aims and Objectives - continued
The Team
The Sensory Place is supported by a team of passionate trustees and volunteers. The trustees all live and work in the areas in which they serve and also have first-hand, lived experience of raising a child or young person with additional needs and/or disabilities. This gives trustees a unique perspective and an understanding of the challenges that families accessing the charity face as well having the knowledge to be able to provide the right type of support.
Achievements and Performance
The Sensory Place is a family-friendly organisation dedicated to making a real difference in our community. Our trustees and volunteers all have lived experience of the challenges families face and understand the difficulties they encounter when they have children and young people who are unable to access mainstream activities. We believe every young person should have the freedom to be their authentic self and have fun in a way that’s meaningful to them.
We regularly engage with our families to learn from their experiences—what they have enjoyed, what they would like to see more of and how we can keep improving our services. Thanks to generous grants and donations, we have been able to significantly expand our offerings. This support has allowed us to collaborate with local organisations to provide a range of new activities, including art classes, dance sessions, sensory sessions and PMLD specific sessions.
Throughout the year, we have offered a wide variety of inclusive and adapted activities such as swimming, forest school, science sessions, sporting sessions, crafts, free play gymnastics and visits to the theatre. We have also hosted special days out to popular destinations including Adventure Valley, Whitehouse Farm, Beamish and Alnwick Gardens.
Following community feedback, our activities now cater to a wider age range—from 0 to 25 years. We’ve worked closely with Sunderland and County Durham Councils to provide holiday activities that include free meals for children. We are proud to be the main provider of SEND-friendly activities in the Sunderland area and to be an approved provider of short breaks in County Durham.
One of our standout events this year was a ‘Disney Themed’ family entertainment afternoon. Families enjoyed a relaxed environment with live entertainment, magic and lots of fun for all ages. We also provided a two-course meal for families to enjoy together. This was such a success that we plan to make entertainment afternoons an annual feature.
We are also delighted to have been able to offer overnight activity trips to Yorkshire Wildlife Park and to Blackpool. These stays were carefully planned to ensure they were inclusive to all and gave families the opportunity to try something new at a reduced cost with the knowledge they would be surrounded and supported by other families in similar situations to themselves. Families have fed back how beneficial the chance to have these breaks have been and in light of this feedback we intend to fundraise to provide further overnight stays for families to enjoy.
As part of our Christmas events we ensured that every child who attended our bowling session, Elf Express sessions, soft play and Breakfast with Santa sessions received age and ability appropriate gifts.
Throughout the year we have also been able to expand our offer to include more direct support for parent carers who often find themselves socially isolated due to their child’s needs. We have been able to provide carer specific relaxation sessions where they can come together with other carers to complete a craft, enjoy meditation or just have a chat over a hot drink. In addition to this we have also hosted training sessions with a range of therapists who have provided information and advice on how parent carers can support their children.
...CONTINUED
Page 2
The Sensory Place Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
Aims and Objectives - continued
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us to be able to achieve our aims whether that be through donations and grants or by volunteering services and time.
Page 3
The Sensory Place Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
Public Benefit
1. Statutory Compliance
The Trustees of The Sensory Place have a duty to report on public benefit in their Annual Report. This policy ensures that the charity’s activities are aligned with the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit (specifically PB1, PB2, and PB3).
2. The Benefit Requirement
The charity ensures that all activities undertaken are clearly linked to its stated objectives.
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Identifiable Benefit : The benefits provided include improved mental well-being, sensory regulation, social inclusion, and educational support.
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Evidence-Based : The charity monitors these benefits through user feedback, session attendance data, and qualitative impact assessments.
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Harm Mitigation : The charity proactively manages any potential risks (e.g., overstimulation or physical safety) through rigorous safeguarding and health and safety protocols to ensure no detriment or harm arises from its activities.
3. The Public Requirement
The Sensory Place is committed to ensuring its services are accessible to the public or a significant section of the public.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
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The Sensory Place Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees
Mrs Ann Young - Trustee Mrs Amy Henderson - Trustee Miss Helen Abernathy - Trustee Mrs Rebecca Follesa - Trustee Mrs Lucinda Horsley - Trustee
Charity Number
1195932
Principal Address
6 Bedford Place Silksworth Sunderland Tyne & Wear SR3 1LA
Independent Examiner
P. W. O'Hehir ACCA G. D. O'Hehir & Co Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 2 S M Business Centre Barnfield Road Spennymoor DL16 6EL
Page 5
The Sensory Place Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
The trustees' report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Miss Helen Abernathy
Trustee 03/02/2026
Page 6
The Sensory Place Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Sensory Place For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Sensory Place (the Trust) for the year ended 31 October 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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 section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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�. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and contents of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
P. W. O'Hehir ACCA 03/02/2026 2 S M Business Centre Barnfield Road Spennymoor DL16 6EL
Page 7
The Sensory Place Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds 4 NET INCOME NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 7 |
Unrestricted funds £ 94,952 |
Restricted funds £ 26,953 |
2025 Total funds £ 121,905 |
2024 Total funds £ 77,946 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (89,073) | (27,589) | (116,662) | (58,767) | |
| 5,879 | (636) | 5,243 | 19,179 | |
| 5,879 31,584 |
(636) 20,980 |
5,243 52,564 |
19,179 33,385 |
|
| 37,463 | 20,344 | 57,807 | 52,564 |
The notes on pages 11 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
Page 8
The Sensory Place Comparative Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds 4 NET INCOME NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 7 |
Unrestricted funds £ 32,932 |
Restricted funds £ 45,014 |
2024 Total funds £ 77,946 |
|---|---|---|---|
| (24,461) | (34,306) | (58,767) | |
| 8,471 | 10,708 | 19,179 | |
| 8,471 23,113 |
10,708 10,272 |
19,179 33,385 |
|
| 31,584 | 20,980 | 52,564 |
The notes on pages 11 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
Page 9
The Sensory Place Statement of Financial Position As At 31 October 2025
| Notes CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds TOTAL FUNDS 7 On behalf of the board |
Unrestricted funds £ 37,463 |
Restricted funds £ 20,344 |
2025 Total funds £ 57,807 |
2024 Total funds £ 52,564 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37,463 37,463 |
20,344 20,344 |
57,807 57,807 |
52,564 52,564 |
|
| 37,463 | 20,344 | 57,807 | 52,564 | |
| 37,463 | 20,344 | 57,807 | 52,564 | |
| 20,344 37,463 |
20,980 31,584 |
|||
| 57,807 | 52,564 | |||
Miss Helen Abernathy Trustee 03/02/2026
The notes on pages 11 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
Page 10
The Sensory Place Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
1. General Information
The Sensory Place is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission, registered charity number 1195932. The principal address is 6 Bedford Place, Silksworth, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR3 1LA.
2. Accounting Policies
2.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 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)", Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
2.2. Incoming Resources
General Principle
Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Categories of Income
The charity categorises its income as follows:
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Donations and Legacies : This includes general donations, gifts, and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature. These are recognised when receivable.
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Charitable Activities : This includes income received for the primary purpose of the charity (e.g., fees for sensory room sessions, workshops, or specific service contracts).
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Other Trading Activities : Income from fundraising events, such as gala nights or merchandise sales.
2.3. Resources Expended
1. General Recognition
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes any irrecoverable VAT.
2. Classification of Expenditure
To provide transparency to donors and the Charity Commission, costs are split into three primary categories:
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Expenditure on Raising Fund s: Costs associated with attracting voluntary income, such as fundraising event expenses, grant application software, and advertising for donations.
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Expenditure on Charitable Activitie s: All costs incurred in pursuit of the charity’s mission. For The Sensory Place, this includes:
...CONTINUED
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The Sensory Place Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
2.3. Resources Expended - continued
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Staff costs for sensory therapists and play practitioners.
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Maintenance and depreciation of sensory equipment.
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Rent and utilities for the sensory center.
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Educational materials and workshop costs.
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Other Expenditure: Any costs that do not fall into the above categories.
3. Allocation of Support and Governance Costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly provide sensory services.
2.4. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with insignificant risk of change in value, and bank overdrafts.
3. Income from Donations and Legacies
| Donations and gifts Grants Donations and gifts Grants |
Unrestricted funds £ 66,047 28,905 |
Restricted funds £ - 26,953 |
2025 Total funds £ 66,047 55,858 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94,952 | 26,953 | 121,905 | |
| Unrestricted funds £ 32,932 - |
Restricted funds £ - 45,014 |
2024 Total funds £ 32,932 45,014 |
|
| 32,932 | 45,014 | 77,946 |
4. Analysis of Expenditure
| 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Activities | Support | ||
| undertaken | costs | ||
| directly | (see note 5) | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Raising funds | 95,241 | 21,421 | 116,662 |
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The Sensory Place Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
| Raising funds 5. Support Costs Premises expenses General administration Premises expenses General administration 6. Independent Examiner's Remuneration Independent examination of the financial statements |
Activities undertaken directly £ 51,304 |
Support costs (see note 5) £ 7,463 |
2024 Total £ 58,767 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 £ 240 |
2025 Raising funds £ 16,256 5,165 |
||
| 21,421 | |||
| 2024 Raising funds £ 4,853 2,610 |
|||
| 7,463 | |||
| 2024 £ 240 |
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The Sensory Place Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
7. Movement in Funds
| Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund Restricted funds General restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund Restricted funds General restricted funds Total funds |
As at 1 November 2024 £ 31,584 20,980 |
Income £ 94,952 26,953 |
Expenditure £ (89,073) (27,589) |
As at 31 October 2025 £ 37,463 20,344 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52,564 | 121,905 | (116,662) | 57,807 | |
| As at 1 November 2023 £ 23,113 10,272 |
Income £ 32,932 45,014 |
Expenditure £ (24,461) (34,306) |
As at 31 October 2024 £ 31,584 20,980 |
|
| 33,385 | 77,946 | (58,767) | 52,564 |
8. Transactions with Trustees
During the year the expenses reimbursed to the trustees or paid directly to third parties were as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ | £ |
9. Related Party Disclosures
11. Grants received during the year
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The Sensory Place Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
- Scholefield Trust - £804 Stronger Shores - £5,000 Point North - £5,000 Ballinger Trust - £1,000 True Colours Trust - £3,000 Gentoo - £500 James Knott Trust - £5000 Believe Housing - £1000 Bauer Radio - £3255
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The Sensory Place Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 October 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies Donations and gifts Grants Government Grants EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds Purchases Providing charitable activities Rent Computer software, consumables and maintenance Insurance Printing, postage and stationery Advertising and marketing costs Independent examiner's fees Professional fees Subscriptions Sundry expenses NET INCOME |
2025 Total funds £ 66,047 26,953 28,905 |
2024 Total funds £ 32,932 45,014 - |
|---|---|---|
| 121,905 | 77,946 | |
| 121,905 (3,100) (92,141) (16,256) (590) (449) (27) (433) (240) (2,608) (315) (503) |
77,946 (1,252) (50,052) (4,853) (332) (519) (61) (186) (240) (124) (216) (932) |
|
| (116,662) | (58,767) | |
| (116,662) | (58,767) | |
| 5,243 | 19,179 |
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