Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements
31 December 2024
Registered Charity number 1199343
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements
----- Start of picture text -----
Contents 2
Legal and administrative information 3
Trustees’ Report 4-9
Report of the Independent Examiner 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the accounts 11-12
----- End of picture text -----
2 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
Legal and Administrative Information
Trustees
Nominated Trustees – 4
Rachel Morris Kathryn Hamblett Tate Preston, Chairperson Luke Stafford
Elected 17 June 2022 Elected 17 June 2022 Elected 31 December 2022 Elected 30 April 2024
David Bailey Victoria Colclough Alison Hurlstone Robert Smith
Elected 17 June 2022 – resigned 30 November 2024 Elected 30 November 2022 – resigned 30 November 2024 Elected 5 December 2022 – resigned 17 December 2024 Elected 29 June 2023 – resigned 30 June 2024
Principal Office
Millpool Farm Wards Lane Congleton Cheshire CW12 3LN
Bankers
HSBC Bank Plc P O Box 117 60 Albert Road Middlesborough TS1 1RS
Independent Examiner Eileen Grigg
Officers
Caroline Preston acted as Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Trustees.
3 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
The Trustees’ present their Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
The charity is registered with the Charity Commission, number 1199343
Objects, organisation and activities
Autism Dogs Charity trains Assistance Dogs for autistic children and adults in England, Scotland and Wales.
We are an Advanced Service accredited by the National Autistic Society.
Many of our team are autistic, including our CEO, which provides us with a unique insight when helping other autistic people.
Our Charity is recognised for working with some of the most challenging cases in the UK, providing hope for some of the most vulnerable autistic people. Our work successfully helps autistic children and adults to lower debilitating anxiety, reduce self-injurious behaviours, improve poor sleeping and eating patterns and increase social skills which eventually leads to improved confidence and independence.
Review of progress and achievements
The Board of Trustees
In this first full year of the organisation moving from a Community Interest model to a Charity, our Trustee Board remained unchanged until an additional member was added later in the year, bringing the total Trustee Board to seven members.
The new Trustee brought exceptional operational skills to the Board, adding increased focus on keeping costs low and concentration on fund-raising efforts.
Detailed feedback and data from our existing and newly enrolled clients led to further investment in our Psychotherapy and SEN Behaviours department which proved a vital part of our wrap-around service to ensure the best possible outcomes for the autistic handlers.
The Charity team expanded to include greater numbers dedicated to Animal Welfare and additions to the Training team, which we hoped would enable us to deliver more teams successfully than any other year to date.
The Charity team values remain unchanged:-
Approachable: We create an environment and attitude that allows both our clients and our team to feel at ease, enabling us to create the best experience possible based on their needs.
Dedicated: We strive to provide the best care to our clients and dogs so we can change as many lives as possible.
Respect: We value all of our clients and team members, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and compassion.
4 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
Hardworking: We work hard through responsible actions, always striving to be the best we can be.
Loyalty: We are proud to represent an organisation that does such life-changing work for autistic people and their families.
Timeliness: We work hard to show up on time and provide timely support to our beneficiaries, team members, and dogs.
Caring: All of our work revolves around us providing the utmost care and attention to our clients, team members, and dogs.
Considerate: We are adaptable, understanding others' needs and adjusting our way of working to accommodate them.
Professional: We work together to provide an outstanding experience, building upon our deep-rooted ethics and our desire to be as skilled as we can possibly be.
Inclusion: We respect and value everyone's differences, creating an environment that both promotes respect and highlights the advantages diversity brings.
Statistics
Overview of Programme statistics over the year we received:
-
18354 enquires
-
464 applications
-
38 programme places/enrolments
-
36 dogs assessed
-
26 Qualified
-
2 families were removed from the programme prior to delivery
-
2 dogs were collected from the family after delivery
-
3 dogs retired
-
Volunteer hours 530
From the previous working team’s estate:
Total number of teams working at the end of the year: 85
Volunteering and Work Experience
We continued to advocate and immerse ourselves in the autistic community by offering volunteer and work experience to the autistic community. These volunteering opportunities also provided us with the opportunity to educate the volunteers about the work that we do and the help that our Assistance Dogs provide for our beneficiaries.
We delivered a volunteer workshop where 36 young people attended and were awarded a certificate of contribution, and provided 4 work placements across the year. All of the young people who volunteered for the organisation were autistic.
5 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
Finances
The costs of each Programme varied from £20-25,000 to the end of the first year of delivery.
Total income for the year was £790,826 with costs of £640,567.
CEO report
During this first full year as a Charity the team expanded and the quality of the beneficiary’s experience and the number of delivered teams grew.
Additions to many areas ensured our existing teams were well supported and that new enrolments teams in training received a wealth of holistic support for the beneficiary and immediate family.
Increased resources were allocated into the Psychotherapy Department that helped to enhance our understanding. Increased hours and skills in this vital area also increased our ability to bespoke the beneficiary’s care to a new level.
Our Charity continued to work with the NAS which is of great importance and reassurance to our clients. We also remained part of the ADUK community that provides an overall contribution of support to the UK’s Assistance Dog sector.
A new focus was also given to fund raising. We successfully continued to provide our services at a reduced rate by fund raising over 20% of the costs. By investing in a Fund Raising Manager we began the process of building a team that could generate additional donations to reduce the cost to each beneficiary even further.
6 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
Reserves policy
After providing sufficient funds to cover all management and administration the Trustees regard any remaining incoming resources as free reserves of the charity and available for the general purposes of training dogs in accordance with the stated objects of the charity.
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities
Under the Scheme of the Charity and trust law, the Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its income and expenditure. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable policies and then apply them consistently;
-
make judgement and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounts standards have been followed, subject to any material departures, disclose and explained in the financial statements.
-
Prepare the financial statements on an ongoing concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue.
The Trustees are required to act in accordance with the Scheme of the Charity and within the framework of trust law. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to safeguard the assets of the fund and to prevent and detect fraud and other regularities.
The attached financial statements show the current state of the finances.
On behalf of the Trustees
Tate Preston Chairperson
Date 29th January 2025
7 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Congleton Town Trust
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 9 to 10
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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an Independent Examination is required.
It is my responsibility to:
*Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
*To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 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 you as 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 statements below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Eileen Grigg ACMA CTA EPG Accountants Ltd Congleton Cheshire CW12 3JY
29[th] January 2025
8 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Note | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund | Fund | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and expenditure | ||||
| Incoming resources | ||||
| Dog Training | 682,404 | - | 682,404 | 499,349 |
| Donations | 37,712 | - | 37,712 | 3,340 |
| Grants | 43,560 | - | 43,560 |
13,651 |
| Sundry income | 27,150 | - | 27,150 | 5,011 |
| __ | __ | __ | __ | |
| Total incoming resources | 790,826 | - | 790,826 | 521,351 |
| __ | __ | __ | __ | |
| Resources expended | ||||
| Direct charitable expenditure | ||||
| Animal Training Salaries | 83,651 | - | 83,651 | 78,928 |
| Animal Welfare Salaries | 106,833 | - | 106,833 | 70,292 |
| Vets Fees | 24,455 | - | 24,455 |
17,137 |
| Other direct costs | 109,102 | - | 109,102 |
56,700 |
| Administrative Costs | ||||
| Management, admin and consulting | 120,412 | - | 120,412 | 81,425 |
| Pension Costs | 4,902 | - | 4,902 | 3,580 |
| Rent and Rates | 27,545 | - | 27,545 | 26,833 |
| Light, power, heating | 13,609 | - | 13,609 | 14,514 |
| Fund Raising, Design and Marketing | 37,961 | - | 37,961 | - |
| Motor vehicle and travel | 18,606 | - | 18,606 | 14,720 |
| Legal fees | 20,634 | - | 20,634 | - |
| Accountancy | 4,800 | - | 4,800 | 3,750 |
| Repairs and Maintenance | 25,594 | - | 25,594 | 11,264 |
| Bank charges and Interest | 3,784 | - | 3,784 | 5,074 |
| Other costs | 39,169 | - | 39,169 | 26,673 |
| Total resources expended | 640,567 | - | 640,567 | 410,890 |
| __ | __ | __ | __ | |
| Net(outgoing)/incoming for the year | 150,259 | - | 150,259 | 110,461 |
| Recognised gains (losses) on | ||||
| investments | ||||
| Unrealised | - | - | - | - |
| Realised | - | - | - | - |
| __ | __ | __ | __ | |
| Net movements in funds | 150,259 | - | 150,259 | 110,461 |
| Fund balances brought forward | 263,865 | - | 263,865 | 153,404 |
| __ | __ | __ | __ | |
| Fund balances carried forward | 414,124 | - | 414,124 | 263,865 |
| __ | __ | __ | __ |
9 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
| Balance Sheet | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 31 December 2024 | |||||
| Note | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Motor vehicles | 3 | 9,906 | 6,006 | ||
| Computer equipment | 1,186 | 343 | |||
| Plant and machinery | - | - | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| 11,092 | 6,349 | ||||
| Current assets | |||||
| Cash at bank | 22,732 | 28,329 | |||
| Debtors | 5 | 434,545 | 290,593 | ||
| 457,277 | 318,922 | ||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||
| Creditors: amount falling due within one | 6 |
14,427 | 3,809 | ||
| year | |||||
| __ | __ | ||||
| Net current assets | 442,851 | 315,113 | |||
| Creditors: amount falling due after one | |||||
| year | 39,818 | 57,597 | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| Net assets | 414,124 | 263,865 | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| Represented by: | |||||
| Funds | |||||
| Unrestricted income fund | 414,124 | 263,865 | |||
| Restricted capital fund | - | - | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| 414,124 | 263,865 | ||||
| __ | __ |
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 29[th] January 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Tate Preston Chairperson
10 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
Notes to the Financial Statements
1. Reporting Standards
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting & Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015). Assets & Liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
2. Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis.
3. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible assets are included at cost less depreciation and impairment. Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful lives:
| Plant & machinery 25% on cost |
|
|---|---|
| Motor vehicles 25% on WDV |
|
| Computer equipment 25% on cost |
| Cost or valuation At 1 January 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 Charge for the year At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 1 January 2024 At 31 December 2024 |
Plant & machinery £ At cost 600 - - |
Motor vehicles £ At cost 12,240 7,200 - |
Computer equipment £ At cost 628 1,333 - |
Total £ 13,468 8,533 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | 19,440 | 1,961 | 22,001 | |
| 600 - |
6,234 3,300 |
285 490 |
7,119 3,790 |
|
| 600 | 9,534 | 775 | 10,909 | |
| - - |
6,006 9,906 |
343 1,186 |
6,349 11,902 |
11 Page
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31 December 2024
4. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
No remuneration directly or indirectly out of the funds of the charity was paid or payable for the year to any Trustee or to any person or persons known to be connected with any of them.
No reimbursement of expenses has been made or is due to be made to any of the Trustees in respect of the year.
5. Debtors
| 5. Debtors Amounts falling due within one year Clients payments towards dog training Other debtors 6.Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Taxes and social security Pension Contributions Accruals 7. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Bank loans |
2024 434,545 - |
2023 290,594 - |
|---|---|---|
| 434,545 | 290,594 | |
| 2024 9,307 1,364 3,756 |
2023 2,702 685 422 |
|
| 14,427 | 3,809 | |
| 2024 39,818 |
2023 57,597 |
8. Average number of employees
During the year, the average number of employees was 21.
12 Page