## **Annual Report and Accounts** ## Year ended 31 December 2023 www.usherkidsuk.org Charity Registration Number: 1200796 ## **Contents** Usher Kids UK Report and Accounts for financial period 24 October 2022 to 31 December 2023 |**Trustee Report**|2| |---|---| |Objectives and Activities|2| |Highlights of 2023|4| |Governance|6| |Administrative Details|7| |Financial Review|8| |**Independent Examiner’s**
**Report**|10| |**Statement of Financial**
**Activities**|11| |**Statement of Assets and**
**Liabilities**|12| |**Notes to the Accounts**|13| Usher Kids UK 1 Contents ## **Welcome** This Annual Review summarises the strides we've made in 2023, empowering children, young people and families affected by Usher Syndrome, while ensuring effective use of our resources. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our supporters and partners, whose generosity and collaboration have been integral to our successes. Your kindness truly makes a difference. Thank you. ## Vision: Our vision is a world where every child and young person with Usher syndrome can thrive. ## Mission: Our mission is to empower children, young people and their families living with Usher syndrome in the UK, through the provision of support, information, connections and advocacy. ## Charity’s Objects: The object of the charity - as set out in our constitution - is to relieve the needs of children and young people (aged 0- 25yrs) and their families living with Usher syndrome in the UK, through the provision of support, information, connections and advocacy. 2 Objectives and Activities Usher Kids UK ## **Activities** ## Support: Usher Kids UK is dedicated to supporting families affected by Usher syndrome from the moment of diagnosis and throughout their journey. Our tailored support services are designed to address the unique needs of each family to help them navigate the complexities of the condition with confidence and hope. ## Information: We create a range of information resources that tackle the specific challenges associated with Usher syndrome. These resources are designed to ensure they are both informative and accessible, empowering families and professionals to better understand Usher syndrome. ## Connections: We believe in the power of community and connection. Our regular events offer a platform for our families to come together, share experiences, and build a robust network of support. These gatherings not only foster a sense of belonging but also enable participants to gain valuable knowledge from one another and experts in the field. ## Advocacy: We use insights from our community to raise awareness and understanding of the impact and experiences of those living with Usher syndrome across key stakeholder groups (healthcare, research, education and government), increasing their commitment to improve services and address the needs of our community. Objectives and Activities Usher Kids UK 3 ## **Hi hli hts of 2023 g g** ## USHthis! Residential Camp This year, we're thrilled to have established our annual residential camp, set up specifically for individuals aged 11 to 25 living with Usher syndrome. The camp is an empowering space where the 25 young people connected with peers, learned from role models, and developed skills and strategies that will equip them for their future journeys. Our volunteer programme for the camp extended invitations to professionals in the sector, providing them with the opportunity to contribute to the camp's success. We hope they'll return to their workplaces enriched by this experience, carrying with them insightful lessons and joyful memories to enhance their services with our community's needs at heart. ## Calendar of Events We successfully hosted two engaging inperson events, drawing nearly 250 participants. Our Spring Social Day offered a safe and supportive environment for fun and connections, while our Autumn Information Day delivered a wealth of valuable workshops and guest speakers for families and professionals alike. In addition, we held monthly virtual parent support sessions, fostering connections between up to 50 parents, providing emotional encouragement, practical assistance, and the opportunity to exchange knowledge. Highlights of 2023 Usher Kids UK 4 ## **Hi hli hts of 2023 g g** ## Information Publishing This year, we've seen significant progress in our information development. We've put together an informative pack for those newly diagnosed; our research stage for a much-needed educational toolkit has concluded successfully and we're excited to announce that our new website design is complete and set for launch in early 2024. ## Developing the Sector We’ve had the privilege of training nearly 1500 professionals from the fields of health, education, and disability in 2023. We've delved deep into how Usher syndrome affects children, young people, and their families, and how we can reimagine service design and delivery to ensure the best outcomes for our community. As Chair of the cross-organisation Usher Collaboration Group, our founder has been able to identify and seize opportunities to enhance services for the benefit of our community. We have also had the opportunity to contribute to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Usher syndrome, advocating for improvements to services. ## Developing Our Charity 2023 has marked another milestone in our charity's journey. Thanks to secured funds, we will be transitioning in 2024 from a volunteer-only organisation to a charity with dedicated, paid staff roles, bolstering our future resilience. Highlights of 2023 Usher Kids UK 5 ## **Governance** ## Structure Usher Kids UK is registered charity number 1200796, governed by the Charities Act 2006. The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered on 24 October 2022 (Foundation model). Its only voting members are its Trustees. Usher Kids UK’s governance is described in its constitution. The policy and operating decisions of the charity lie with its Trustees, who are listed on page 7. Our current Trustees have been in role since Usher Kids UK was incorporated in October 2022. New trustees are appointed by the serving trustees, considering the skills required by the board. ## Public Benefit The Trustees of the charity confirm they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in determining the range of activities undertaken by the charity. The Trustees confirm that in planning the activities of the charity, that such activity is undertaken in the best interest of beneficiary groups and not at the detriment or exclusion of any beneficiaries. ## Risk Management The Trustees are aware of their duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. 6 Usher Kids UK Governance ## **Administrative Details** **Name:** Usher Kids UK ## **Registered Charity Number:** 1200796 ## **Registered Office:** 16 Heathfield Avenue Stockport Cheshire SK4 4QJ **Trustees** (all in post throughout this **:** accounting period) Chloe Joyner (Chair) Jon Holloway (Treasurer) Clare Watson Kathryn Atkinson Laura Ross Mariya Mossajee ## **Independent Examiner:** Focal Business Group Limited 4a Church Street Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 7AA Administrative Details Usher Kids UK 7 ## **Financial Review** The Trustees of Usher Kids UK present the financial statements of Usher Kids UK (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023. The Trustees confirm the financial statements of the Charity comply with the current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Charity's governing document. The Trustees confirm that the Charity has no deficit and no debts and has no uncertainty about the Charity continuing as a going concern. ## Accounting Period The Charity was incorporated on 24 October 2022. The start date of the Charity’s accounting period aligns with the point at which the Charity was incorporated. Additionally, with this being the Charity’s first accounting period (therefore having the flexibility to define the dates thereof, so long as it is no shorter than 6 months and no longer than 18 months), along with the desire to align with the calendar year, the Charity has defined its accounting end date as 31 December, making the accounting period for this first accounting period c. 14 months. Subsequent accounting years will be 12 months following the calendar year (1 January to 31 December). ## Reserves As a volunteer-led charity, Usher Kids UK does not have any fixed operational or staffing liabilities. As a result, we do not hold a formal reserves policy. The Trustees ensure adequate funding is in place for all charitable activities before they commence. When employees are a consideration Usher Kids UK will formalise a policy covering 3 – 6 months of operational expenditure. 8 Usher Kids UK Financial Review ## **Financial Review** ## Trustees’ Responsibilities The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. - Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. - State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it - is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They 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 Charity Trustees comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 with regard to the keeping of accounting records, to the preparation and scrutiny of statements of account, and to the preparation of annual reports and returns. The annual report and financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 5th June 2024 and were signed on its behalf by: Jonathan Holloway Treasurer Chloe Joyner Chair of Trustees 9 Usher Kids UK Financial Review ## **Independent Examiner’s Report** to the Trustees of Usher Kids UK I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 set out on pages 11 and 12. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The 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. - Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity - Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and - state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of the independent examiner‘s report My examination was carried out in accordance with 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: - relevant accounting records were not kept; or - the accounts do not accord with such records. - I 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. Michael Osborne Focal Business Group Limited 4a Church Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7AA 10 Independent Examiner’s Report Usher Kids UK ## **USHER KIDS UK** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 31 DECEMBER 2023** ||**Charity Name**|**Charity Name**|**Charity Name**|**Charity Name**|**Charity Name**|**No (if any)**|**No (if any)**||**CC16a**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||
**Usher Kids UK**|||||
**1200796**|||| ||**Receipts andpayments accounts**||||||||| ||**For the period**
**from**||Period start date||**To**||Period end date||| ||||24/10/2022||||31/12/2023||| ||||||||||| |**Section A Receipts and payments**|||||||||| ||**Unrestricted**
**funds**||**Restricted**
**funds**||**Endowment**
**funds**||**Total funds**||**Last year**| ||**to the nearest**
**£**||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**| |**A1 Receipts**|||||||||| |Donation Income|**23,619**||**-**||**-**||**23,619**||**-**| |Grant Income|**5,215**||**88,695**||**-**||**93,910**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_
_AR)_|**28,834**||**88,695**||**£0**||**117,529**||**-**| ||||||||||| |**A2 Asset and investment**
**sales, (see table).**|||||||||| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_**|
**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||||||| |**_Total receipts_**|**28,834**||**88,695**||**-**||**117,529**||**-**| ||||||||||| |**A3 Payments**|||||||||| |Charitable activities|**11,826**||**22,672**||**-**||**34,498**||**-**| |Fundraisingexpenses|**126**||**-**||**-**||**126**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_**|**11,952**||**22,672**||**-**||**34,624**||**-**| ||||||||||| |**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**|||||||||| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||| |**_Sub total_**|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||||||| |**_Totalpayments_**|**11,952**||**22,672**||**-**||**34,624**||**-**| ||||||||||| |**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**|**16,882**||**66,023**||**-**||**82,905**||**-**| |**A5 Transfers between funds**|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**A6 Cash funds lastyear end**|**3,984**||**-**||**-**||**3,984**||**-**| |**_Cash funds thisyear end_**|**20,866**||**66,023**||**-**||**86,889**||**-**| 11 ## **USHER KIDS UK** ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**|**Details**|**Details**|**Details**||**Unrestricted**
**funds**||**Restricted**
**funds**||**Endowment**
**funds**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**| |**B1 Cash funds**|Natwest current account @ 31/12/2023||||**20,866**||**66,023**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**_Total cash funds_**||||**20,866**||**66,023**||**-**| ||||||||||| ||||||**Unrestricted**
**funds**||**Restricted**
**funds**||**Endowment**
**funds**| ||**Details**||||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**| |**B2 Other monetary assets**|||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||||||| ||**Details**||||**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**||**Cost (optional)**||**Current value**
**(optional)**| |**B3 Investment assets**|||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||||| ||**Details**||||**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**||**Cost (optional)**||**Current value**
**(optional)**| |**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**|||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||||| ||**Details**||||**Fund to which**
**liability relates**||**Amount due**
**(optional)**||**When due**
**(optional)**| |**B5 Liabilities**|||||||**-**||| ||||||||**-**||| ||||||||**-**||| ||||||||**-**||| ||||||||**-**||| ||||||||||| |Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees|Signature||||Print Name||||Date of
approval| ||||||Jon Holloway||||05.06.2024| ||||||Chloe Joyner||||05.06.2024| ||||||||||| 12 ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** Fund accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Donated services and facilities Where services are provided to the charity as a donation that would normally be purchased from a supplier, this contribution is included in the financial statements at an estimate based on the value of the contribution to the charity. ## **2. TRUSTEES’ RENUMERATION AND BENEFITS** There were no trustees' renumeration or benefits paid for the year ended 31 December 2023. ## **3. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY** The Charity is under the joint control of the trustees. ## **4. TAXATION** The company is treated as a charity within the meaning of the Income tax and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and has been afforded exemptions from taxation under section 505 of that act. ## **5. STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** In accordance with the Charitable Incorporation Organisations (General) Regulations 2012, Part 10, Regulation 62, the Trustees provide the following information by way of notes to the statements of assets and liabilities, that in the respect of the following requirements: a) Particulars of any guarantee given by the CIO, where any potential liability under the guarantee is outstanding at the date of statement, and b) Particulars of any debt outstanding which is owned by the CIO and which is secured by an express charge on any assets of the CIO. That there are no such guarantees and no such debts outstanding at the date of this statement. Usher Kids UK Notes to the accounts 13