Neurodivergent Safe Space Trustee Annual Report
Charity No: 1203335
Charity name: Neurodivergent Safe Space
Charity No: 1203335
Address: 9 West Road, Westcliff on sea, Essex, SS0 9AU
Trustees: Mrs Jo Richardson, Miss Becky Verrall, Miss Grace Rush, Mr Patrick Richardson Report written by: Mrs Jo Richardson; Charity Director
The day-to-day running of the charity is overseen by the Director; Mrs Jo Richardson.
All decisions are made by the board of trustees via a voting method.
We hire trustees through interviews with the current trustee board and background checks to ensure that they are suitable for the position as we support vulnerable teens and young adults.
Since April 2024, we increased our weekly clubs to four a week due to the rise in demand and this year we found that there was a high demand for ND adult (22+ years) support, so we have now opened a further two clubs to support this older age group.
We have been very lucky to receive funding from several funders (see below) since April 2024 which has enabled us to open these additional clubs and to hire an employee dedicated to networking with other organisations and organising events that we can have a stall at in order to promote our work, provide information on Neurodiversity and Mental health to the general public, and to sell handmade items to raise money for the charity.
Our objectives for our second year as a charity was to open further clubs to support more people and those from a wider age range, to continue to forge and maintain relationships with other charities and support organisations in the area, to attend various events, and to start producing affordable training courses for teen and young people, parents and carers, and professionals.
We have achieved most of our objectives; we have opened a further three clubs have forged and maintained good relationships with several local charities and organisations, and have attended several community events.
Our training program is still in development but will be released later this year.
Our objectives for our third year are to move to a much larger premises to keep up with demand for our service, as our current premises restricts the number of members able to attend at any given time, and it greatly restricts the range of activities and therapeutic environments that we are able to provide for our members.
We also aim to give talks in schools and to provide training for emergency services.
The difference our clubs make to members’ lives is extraordinary. Many join us feeling isolated, withdrawn, and deeply anxious. Some arrive struggling with self-injury, depression, and overwhelming fear, masking their true selves in order to fit in or avoid rejection. Over time, through the support and understanding they receive at our clubs, these same individuals transform. We have witnessed members grow into relaxed, happy people who feel safe enough to be themselves, build friendships, and connect with others who truly understand them. For many, this is the first time they have felt accepted without judgement.
These changes are not only visible within the clubs but also ripple out into the wider community. Members who once struggled to leave their homes are now becoming more independent, learning new skills, and developing the confidence to navigate the world outside. Importantly, they begin to see a future for themselves filled with possibilities rather than fear and hopelessness.
Our clubs provide more than just a social outlet; for many, they are a safe haven from a world that can feel overwhelming, confusing, and hostile. Within this space, members are able to drop their mask, share openly, and access the tools and support they need to overcome their challenges. The growth in resilience and self-belief we see is nothing short of life-changing.
The feedback from the public is that the need for our service is immense and we have received a great amount of praise for opening our clubs for Neurodivergent teens and adults in need of mental health support.
The feedback from professionals is much like the public feedback; we receive referrals from various services throughout Essex and London, and have forged various relationships with local services, charities, and organisations to enable us to work together to help more people.
The charity and clubs are for them; which means that they are the best people to direct us on how best to support their needs.
Financial Report
We have received the following funding;
Short Breaks - £2389.76 June 2024
Community Interest Funding - £10,000 August 2024
National Lottery Community Fund - £18,222 March 2025
Our expeditures for April 2024 – March 2025 are as follows;
Activities - £159.94 Refreshments - £82.92 First Aid - £30.74 Books - £14.75 Advertising - £102.04 Website - £360 Admin - £345.41 Salary - £6234.56 Insurance - £245.15 Staff expenditures - £225.99 Monthly bills - £1659.18 Rent – £9960 Business rates - £193.27 Events - £341.05 Furnishing - £905.56 Training - £432
The charity bank account balance (as of 01/04/2025) is : £20680.44
Mrs Jo Richardson Director Neurodivergent Safe Space
Monthly Expenditure Totals 2024
Monthly Expenditures
| Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities | 79.19 | 30.46 | 0 | 0 | 18.17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32.12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 159.94 |
| Food/Drink | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82.92 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82.92 |
| Sensory | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sundry | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stationary | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| First Aid | 30.74 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30.74 |
| Books | 0 | 0 | 14.75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14.75 |
| Advertising | 80.69 | 0 | 0 | 21.35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 102.04 |
| Reinbursment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Website | 0 | 360 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 360 |
| Admin | 36 | 12 | 12 | 211.41 | 74 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 345.41 |
| Salary | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1019.56 | 745 | 745 | 745 | 745 | 745 | 745 | 745 | 6234.56 |
| Insurance | 11.63 | 0 | 0 | 46.72 | 23.35 | 23.35 | 23.35 | 23.4 | 23.35 | 23.35 | 23.35 | 23.35 | 245.15 |
| Staff Expenditure | 200 | 25.99 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 225.99 |
| MonthlyBills | 834.3 | 22.03 | 128.65 | 78.06 | 73.08 | 79.4 | 78.31 | 78.3 | 91.38 | 90.24 | 102.1 | 82.73 | 1659.18 |
| Rent | 830 | 830 | 830 | 830 | 830 | 830 | 830 | 830 | 830 | 830 | 830 | 830 | 9960 |
| Business Rates | 0 | 136.27 | 0 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 193.27 |
| Events | 200.3 | 29.36 | 0 | 90.93 | 0 | 20.46 | 19.07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 341.05 |
| Furnishing | 495.29 | 0 | 0 | 179.15 | 231.12 | 104.58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 905.56 |
| Training | 0 | 252 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 432 |
| 2798.14 | 1698.11 | 985.4 | 1514.62 | 2425.28 | 1643 | 1677 | 1677 | 1804.77 | 1688.59 | 1700 | 1681.08 | 21292.56 |
Monthly Income
| 2024 | From | Reason | Amount | From | Reason | Amount | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | Care Check Ltd(Admin) | Refund | 12 | Sales from Event(E | Sales | 130.4 | B&Q refund(Furnishing) |
| May | YuEnergy | Refund | 745.29 | ||||
| June | Short Breaks | Funding | 2389.76 | ||||
| Jul | Error at Tescos | Refund | 211.41 | SumUpPride(Even | Sales | 300.35 | Sales from Pride(Events) |
| Aug | Donations | Donation | 115.92 | CommunityInterest | Funding | 10000 | Sales from Garons |
| Sept | Sales Wellbeingevent | Sales | 82.82 | ||||
| Oct | |||||||
| Nov | |||||||
| Dec | Donations | Donation | 48.75 | ||||
| Jan | Donations | Donation | 9.59 | Donations | Donation | 146.65 | |
| Feb | Donations | Donation | 23.98 | SumUpPride | Sales | 37.36 | |
| Mar | Donations | Donation | 489.3 | Nat LotteryCommu | Funding | 18222 |
| Reason | Amount | Amount | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refund | 36.72 | 179.12 | ||
| 745.29 | ||||
| 2389.76 | 861.18 | |||
| Sales(JR | 200 | 711.76 | ||
| Sales(JR | 146.24 | 10262.16 | ||
| 82.82 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 48.75 | 710.42 | |||
| 156.24 | ||||
| 61.34 | ||||
| 18710.87 | ||||
| 33348.11 |
Independent examlner's rnport to tho trustses of Neurodlvergont Sale Space I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Neurodivergent Safe Space forthe yearended 31 March 2025. Responslbilities and basls of report AS the charity trustees of Neurodivergent Safe Space you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requlrements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of Neurodivergent Safe Space's account8 carrled out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Dlrection8 given by the Charity Commi&8ion under section 145(5llb) of the Act. Independent oxamlnor's 8tstament I have completed my examination. I contirm that no materlal matters have come to my attentlon in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting record8 were not kept in respect of Neurodivergent Safe Space 88 required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord wlth those records: or 3. the accounts do not complywith the appllcable requirements concerningthe fonn and content of accounts set out in the Charltl8s (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a'true and fair view which 18 not 8 matter consldered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to tion Should be drawn in this report in orderto enable a proper unde unts to be reached. Signed: Name: Address: Date: