Registered Charity Number: 1197465
ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Information | 3 |
| Trustees’ Report | 4-7 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 8 |
| Receipts & Payments Account | 9 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 10 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 11-13 |
Page 2
ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Full Name: | ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY |
|---|---|
| Registered Charity No: | 1197465 |
| Contact Address: | Cooper Gallery |
| Church Street | |
| Barnsley | |
| S70 2AH | |
| Trustees: | Rhona Bywater (Chair) |
| Ben Harvey-Wade (Treasurer) | |
| Joanne McCausland –appointed 15 November 2024 | |
| Simon Tewson (Secretary) | |
| Bank: | Virgin Money |
| 1A Peel Square | |
| Barnsley | |
| S70 2PL | |
| Independent Examiner: | Angela Hayes |
| Community Accountant | |
| 22 Brocklehurst Avenue | |
| Barnsley | |
| S70 3EE |
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2025.
Structure, governance and management
Action for Autism Barnsley is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission and governed by its Constitution.
The CIO was registered on 12 January 2022 and commenced its activities on 01 April 2022. Prior to the incorporation of the CIO, Action for Autism Barnsley was an unincorporated association operating under the name of Action for Autism and Aspergers Barnsley. The CIO acquired the charitable funds and activities of the unincorporated charity on 01 April 2022. The charity changed its name to Action for Autism Barnsley on 09 January 2023.
The members of the CIO are the charity trustees. Membership of the CIO cannot be transferred to anyone else. If the CIO is wound up, the liability of each member to contribute to the assets of the charity is limited to a sum not exceeding £1.
The affairs of the charity are managed by the trustees who may exercise all the powers of the CIO.
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed for a term of three years, by resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment, the trustees have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
Each trustee is given a copy of the Constitution of the charity and a copy of the latest Trustee Annual Report and accounts before appointment.
The trustees who served during the year, to the date of signing these accounts, are listed on page 3 of this report.
Related Parties
There are no related parties to the organisation.
Risk Management
The trustees examine the major risks that the charity faces and put into operation systems so that necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. Risk assessments are carried out for all activities. Financial risk is managed through a process of financial controls, careful budget monitoring and regular review of the level of reserves held.
Charitable Objects
The objects of the charity are:
The promotion of social inclusion among adults who are socially excluded from society or parts of society as a result of their Autistic Spectrum Disorder by the provision of support, drop-in sessions for art-based therapies, advice and social and educational activities to prevent isolation and encourage social interaction.
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
TRUSTEES’ REPORT continued
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Public Benefit
In shaping the objectives for the year, the trustees have paid due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
Chair’s Report of Activities and Achievements during the reporting period
I am pleased to be writing this introduction to our fourth Annual Report.
It has been another busy year for the charity, and we have had to respond to some challenges that we realised needed specialist help to resolve. We sought help from The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO); they put us in touch with LawWorks, a company that provides pro bono (free) advice to charities. In addition to advising on the specific issue we asked about, they provided a written report with recommendations on policies and procedures, and this has formed the basis of a work plan that the Board are working through.
Our core work continues to be supporting adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions; adults on the Autism Spectrum often lead isolated lives that can lead to poor mental and physical health. Our aim is to provide opportunities for social interaction that has a positive impact on health and wellbeing. We do this by providing a range of creative and fun social activities that encourage joining in and having a go. This year, the team have been innovative and resourceful as ever in providing a range of imaginative weekly sessions that members enjoy taking part in. Both the Monday Meet-up at the Cooper Gallery, and AfAB Active at the YMCA continue to be well-attended and are attracting more members. The summer days out programme has seen the group visit Liverpool, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and other favourite activities, including ten pin bowling at Barnsley Bowl.
In November 2023, we hosted another cohort of Sheffield University medical students. The students are the GP’s and medical professionals of the future, so learning about Autism and raising awareness about the challenges people with Autism face in their lives should help them to consider how they could better support patients and improve their medical practice. We hope to continue this mutually beneficial arrangement with Sheffield University in future.
We now invite two group members to attend our quarterly Trustee meetings on rotation so that all those who want to attend can do so. We feel that moving forward it’s important for members to understand how AfAB is run, and also provide an opportunity for them to ask questions and make suggestions about activities.
Special thanks to the staff team:
Katrina who manages the grant programmes and oversees the staff team and session planning as well as maintaining the valuable relationships with stakeholders that lead to innovative collaborative projects for AfAB. One example of this is a Cooper Gallery project that will see the group collaborate to take on the role of curators for an up and coming exhibition at Cooper Gallery.
Rob continues to lead on the AfAB active sessions. The weekly quiz has become a focal point, with members taking turns to set the questions, resulting in some specialist subjects and cryptic lines of thought!
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
TRUSTEES’ REPORT continued
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Carol is a new member of the staff team, and has stepped in at short notice to lead the Monday social group and also the summer outings this year. She is a welcome addition to the team and brings lots of creative ideas and plans for future projects. Welcome Carol!
We have all been devastated by the death of Louise, who passed away in August following a battle with cancer. Louise was a founder member of AfAB and led the Monday Meet-up until earlier this year. She was loved and respected by everyone who knew her, and her absence is keenly felt. In her memory and as part of her legacy, we are setting up the Louise Edwards Fund that will be used to support group members who may need a small grant to pursue an interest or hobby. The group remember how she encouraged individuals to follow their interests and about how she believed in them and their abilities. We are also looking into planting a memorial tree, that can be decorated by the group at various times throughout the year.
Thanks to my fellow Trustees, Ben and Simon. As our Treasurer, Ben deserves a special mention. He keeps the financial records of the grants, donations, income and expenditure as well as day to day banking. He does this in addition to his busy day job and we are as ever grateful for his steadfast support. This year, I’m delighted to report that we have a new Trustee. Jo McCausland, who volunteers with the AfAB Active group, is already a valued member of the team and it’s great that she has agreed to join the Board. She brings a wealth of experience from her work in health and the public sector. Welcome Jo!
Rhona Bywater, Chair
Future Plans
The membership has steadily grown over the last few months, with new enquiries happening on a regular basis. To accommodate this growth plans are in place to establish a fourth weekly session, this session will take place in the Library at the Lightbox in the town centre and will be a quieter drop-in session for those that want to spend some structured social time together.
We will also re-establish some project work and links with Barnsley Museums (following the departure of some key staff that we had previously worked with on a number of projects). We will kick start this work with a heritage based project at Experience Barnsley.
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
TRUSTEES’ REPORT continued
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Financial Review
The Charity’s policy on reserves
The trustees have set a level equivalent to three months operating costs as a desired level of reserve. This fund (the General Reserve) is a contingency in the event of a sudden reduction in income, in order to protect the future operation of the organisation from the effects of any unforeseen variations in its income and expenditure. It also provides cash flow for grants and contracts that are paid in arrears.
In addition to the General Reserve, the trustees may designate funds where there are planned commitments that cannot be met by anticipated future income alone. These designated reserves are broken down into a number of funds that relate to the charity’s responsibilities to:
-
i. its beneficiaries, to ensure the continuation of essential services
-
ii. the charity's responsibilities as an employer, to hold sufficient funds to meet obligations to staff and to provide proper notice and redundancy payments in the event of closure. (NB. The charity does not employ staff at the present time, therefore currently there is no liability for redundancy).
At the current level of activity, the trustees calculate the desired level of reserves to be £5,700. At the year-end, the balance of the General Reserve was £15,602 (2024:£19,549). The trustees will use any excess reserves to further the charitable activities.
Financial Review of the Year
The financial statements are set out in pages 9 to 13. The charity received total income of £32,338 in this financial year. Grants make up 90% of total income, full details of grants received during the year are provided on page 12 of this report. Total expenditure for the year was £25,068, giving a surplus for the year of £7,270. The total funds of the charity at year-end stand at £34,807 (2024: £27,537). This consists of balances on restricted grants of £19,205 and the unrestricted reserve of £15,602.
Statement of Trustee responsibility
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees declare that they have approved the report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signed:
Date: 22nd June 2025
Ben Harvey-Wade, Treasurer
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
I report on the accounts of the charity, which are set out on pages 9 to 13.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,
or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 29 June 2025
Angela Hayes, FMAAT Community Accountant
22 Brocklehurst Avenue, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 3EE
Angela Hayes is licensed and regulated by AAT under licence number 1006755
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Note Receipts Donations & Fundraising Grants Received 3 Student Placement Total receipts Payments Staff Costs Room Rent Insurance Activities & Events Materials & Equipment Marketing, Publicity & Website Admin Expenses Accountancy Fee Other Expenditure Total payments Surplus/(Deficit) Total funds Transfer between funds Balance brought forward |
Funds £ 3,067 400 - 3,467 4,449 177 273 384 734 245 69 450 378 7,159 -3,692 19,549 (255) 15,602 Unrestricted |
Funds £ - 28,871 - 28,871 15,450 2,008 - 266 175 - - - 10 17,909 10,962 7,988 255 19,205 Restricted |
Total Total 2025 2024 £ £ 3,067 700 29,271 23,976 - 5,096 32,338 29,772 19,899 24,345 2,185 1,720 273 251 650 1,323 909 866 245 245 69 72 450 450 388 151 25,068 29,423 7,270 349 27,537 27,188 - - 34,807 27,537 |
|---|---|---|---|
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Monetary Assets: Virgin Money Current Account Cash in hand Total Monetary Assets Represented by funds: Unrestricted Reserve Restricted Funds Total Monetary Assets |
Total Total 2025 2024 £34,807 £27,537 - - £34,807 £27,537 £15,602 £19,549 £19,205 £7,988 £34,807 £27,537 |
|---|---|
Other Assets:
iPad x 4
Liabilities:
Accountancy fee (£450)
The trustees declare that they have approved the accounts above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Date: 22nd June 2025
Ben Harvey-Wade, Treasurer
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Accounting policies
Basis of the preparation of the accounts
The financial statements have been prepared on a Receipts & Payments basis which summarises the movement of cash in and out of the organisation. In this context ‘cash’ includes cash equivalents, such as bank accounts where cash can be readily available to pay debts as they fall due. This format of accounts is available to noncompany charities with gross annual income of £250,000 or less.
Funds structure
The charity maintains an unrestricted fund that represents funds that are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. Unrestricted funds may arise from general donations, grants of a general nature, fees for service provision and payment for service delivery contracts.
Restricted funds may be provided to the charity for particular purposes and may only be spent for the purposes for which they were given. Any balance remaining outstanding on a restricted fund at the end of the year is carried forward as a balance on the fund, unless permission has been given by the funder to remove the restriction on the balance outstanding. Restricted funds will arise from grants and donations given to the charity for specific purposes and fundraising for specific projects.
2. Gifts in Kind
Use of the Sadler Room at the Cooper Gallery, was provided for our weekly sessions and meeting rooms at the Town Hall for quarterly trustee meetings were provided free of charge.
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
3. Grants Received
| The National Lottery Community Fund SWYPT/BCVS SWYPT: Creative Minds SYCF: Green Social Prescribing Shaw Lands Trust Tesco (Groundworks) Cloverleaf Advocacy Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation Barnsley MBC The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Making a Difference Locally (NISA) Barnsley CVS - 'Your Voice, Your Views' Total |
Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 400 - 400 **Unrestricted ** |
Funds £ 16,250 - 3,000 6,996 1,500 1,125 - - - - - - 28,871 Restricted |
Total 2025 2024 £ £ 16,250 10,000 - 2,500 3,000 3,000 6,996 - 1,500 - 1,125 - - 3,000 - 1,000 - 996 - 3,000 400 - - 480 29,271 23,976 |
|---|---|---|---|
The prior year (2024) D’Oyly Carte and Barnsley CVS grants were unrestricted funds. All other prior year grants were restricted funds.
5. Independent Examination and Accountancy Services
A fee of £450 was paid to Angela Hayes, Community Accountant, for the Independent Examination of accounts and final accounts preparation. (2024: £450).
6. Trustee Remuneration
There were no payments, remuneration or expenses made to trustees during this, or the previous, accounting period.
7. Related Party Transactions
There were no related party transactions in this, or the previous, accounting period.
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ACTION FOR AUTISM BARNSLEY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
8. Restricted Funds
| Restricted Funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMBC Better Barnsley Bond The National Lottery: Getting Social The National Lottery: Connect SYCF: Green Social Prescribing Shaw Lands Trust SWYPFT: Creative Minds Tesco (Groundworks) SYPFT/BCVS Yorkshire Building Society Total |
Opening Balance £ 1,519 6,160 - - - - - 270 39 7,988 |
Receipts £ - - 16,250 6,996 1,500 3,000 1,125 - - 28,871 |
£ (1,815) (6,160) (2,309) (2,737) (1,500) (3,000) (120) (268) - (17,909) Payments |
£ 296 - - - - - - (2) (39) 255 Fund Transfers |
Closing Balance £ - - 13,941 4,259 - - 1,005 - - |
| 19,205 |
BMBC Better Barnsley Bond – funding to support the delivery of the Monday Meet-Up, the focus during this project was health and learning.
The National Lottery Awards for All: Getting Social – a grant to support a range of activities including the Social Central weekly group, the weekly Games and Hobby Group and the weekly ukulele session.
The National Lottery Community Fund: Connect – grant funding for group running costs, including venue hire, project management and activities.
SYCF: Green Social Prescribing – a grant to fund the walking group, outdoor trips and excursions.
Shaw Lands Trust – a grant used for staff costs for the running of Friday Hobby and Games sessions.
SWYPFT: Creative Minds – a grant toward the cost of the Monday Meet-up.
Tesco: Groundworks – a grant to support the delivery of the Monday Meet-up.
SWYPFT/BCVS: Your Voice - participation in research with group members that explored issues around Adult Social Care.
The Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation – grant funding for materials and equipment that have been used across all project activity.
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