ROMSEY OPPORTUNITY GROUP
ANNUAL REPORT 2024-25
Chair’s Report (Ruth Martin)
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The children and families are at the centre of what we do, Volunteers and how valued they are and thanks to them. all roles are as important as each other and that’s how the charity continues to be successful
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The funding is dribbling in, bit by bit and we couldn’t continue without this. It is crucial that we all continue with the fundraising. ROG recently received a lottery funding grant (£15,000) which has been a huge help this year
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There are two incredibly important words that describe how ROG continues to be a success. They are trust and respect.
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Looking back over year, there have been challenges, but by all working together, we have overcome through trust and respect
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W thank everyone involved in ROG, from every day running, but also the wider community that continue to support ROG
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We must give an official welcome to Lauren (Deputy Head/Admin)
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We give special thanks to Helen, who has been Trustee and Chair for 16 years. Helen has now officially stepped down as Trustee. Thank you for all work and support over the years.
Manager’s Report (Pauline Buckley)
It has been another busy, productive and positive year at Romsey Opportunity Group. Our team, trustees, families and volunteers have all contributed to what has been a period of continued growth, improvement and success.
Reflecting on 2024–25
Our focus last year was to strengthen our systems, raise the profile of ROG, and ensure the longterm sustainability of the group. I am proud to report that we have made excellent progress in all areas, supporting a total of 23 children and families in the last 12 months, 14 of which are currently attending the group.
1. Raising the Profile of ROG
We successfully redesigned our website, ensuring that it accurately reflects our ethos and services, and now includes a donation option to support fundraising.
Our social media presence has been consolidated and revitalised, with one Facebook and one Instagram account actively used to share updates, fundraising events, and our weekly Makaton signs.
A new banner and leaflet were created and distributed at community and fundraising events, helping to increase our visibility. Our half-termly newsletter has been streamlined and continues to help us share news and keep ROG at the forefront of our local community.
2. Improving IT and Communication Systems
Significant progress was made in modernising and securing our IT systems.
We introduced Microsoft 365 to provide professional, GDPR-compliant email and cloud storage, ensuring all ROG documents are stored safely and accessed consistently.
Communication with families and staff is now more efficient, with the use of shared cloud systems, simplified WhatsApp groups, and the introduction of Tapestry for securely sharing children’s progress and photographs.
These changes have improved communication, strengthened safeguarding, and allowed for more flexible working.
3. Strengthening Management and Operations
A key milestone this year was the recruitment of Lauren Doyle who has supported day-to-day operations and reduced my managerial workload.
We established a clearer annual plan of events, including trips, visitors, and themed topics for children, helping ensure a varied and enriching programme. We have visited visited the ‘I wanna Be’ role play centre and parents have been visited by the ‘Dentaid’ charity.
Our strong and committed team of staff, volunteers and trustees continues to be our greatest strength.
Looking Ahead – Priorities for 2025–26
This coming year, we aim to embed and expand the progress we’ve made. Our focus will be on consistency, communication and connection.
We will:
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Finalise and roll out the updated induction packs and parent agreement, ensuring everyone connected with ROG has clear and shared expectations.
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Develop individual learning and support plans for each child to make sure every family feels understood, supported and involved.
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Strengthen our partnership with parents through workshops, guest speakers and more regular feedback opportunities.
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Continue to grow our Makaton confidence across staff, children and families, promoting inclusion and shared communication.
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Expand our fundraising by working with local businesses and community groups, attending events, and building on the current successes.
Through all this, we remain committed to providing a nurturing, inclusive and joyful environment where every child can thrive and every family feels part of the ROG community.
Conclusion
This year has been one of consolidation and progress. We have strengthened our foundations, enhanced communication, and modernised many aspects of our work — all while maintaining the warm, inclusive and nurturing environment that defines Romsey Opportunity Group.
I would like to thank our dedicated staff team, trustees, volunteers, and families for their unwavering commitment, hard work and support. Together, we continue to make ROG a place where children and families feel welcomed, valued and supported — a place that truly makes a difference in our community.
Treasurer’s Report (Dick Hewett)
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Healthy year of finance – Surplus of £8,478
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Lottery grant of £15,000 largely helped
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Also £1,000 TVBC, £1,220 HCC
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£4,627 in donations, including:
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£500 Ghost Walks
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£500 Squire Boggs Trust
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£500 Bowden
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£500 PCC, Romsey
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£500 TK Maxx
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£300 Jackie Currie – In memory of Grayson
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£9,549 Dutton Gregory
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£1,800 Romsey Ukelele Group
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Costs:
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Wages (have given pay rises in line with national living wage
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Investment in new website and new equipment - £5,724
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Outings for families, including Panto at Plaza & Hilliers lights – Dutton Gregory money used for this
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Good balance at the end of the year.
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All must help to continue to keep on top of costs and continue to maintain fundraising.
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We have been advised that we have been successful for Co-Op community funding, which will be at least £1,000, but amount to be confirmed.
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Every penny counts!
ROMSEY OPPORTUNITY GROUP 2024-25
SUMMARY
INCOME EXPENDITURE BALANCE
| EASTER RAFFLE | 562.00 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARITIES FAIRS | 236.30 | ||
| MAYORS CHARITY | 500.00 | ||
| MAYORS PICNIC | 211.54 | ||
| BEGGARS BELIEF CONCER | 750.00 | ||
| ROMSEY SINGERS CONCER | 370.95 | ||
| OUTINGS CONTRIBUTIONS | 0.00 | ||
| ROMSEY UKELELE GROUP | 1,800.00 | ||
| DUTTON GREGORY | 9,549.46 | ||
| BOOK SALES | 17.50 | ||
| OTHER FUND RAISING | 49.00 | ||
| GIFT AID | 349.60 | ||
| OTHER DONATIONS | 4,627.02 | ||
| INTEREST | 196.91 | ||
| GRANTS | 17,270.00 | ||
| 36,490.28 | |||
| WAGES | 17,140.80 | ||
| MUSIC/ART | 0.00 | ||
| INTERNET & LAPTOPS | 6,648.17 | ||
| XMAS/EASTER/OUTINGS | 998.22 | ||
| GEN EXP | 367.95 | ||
| PLAY EQUIPMENT | 728.53 | ||
| TRAVEL | 562.00 | ||
| SAGE PAYROLL | 145.20 | ||
| FUNDRAISING COSTS | 325.66 | ||
| TRAINING | 275.00 | ||
| INSURANCE/OFSTED | 819.84 | ||
| 28,011.37 | |||
| SURPLUS/DEFICIT | 8,478.91 | ||
| BALANCE AT 1-8-24 | 19,387.33 | ||
| CURRENT BALANCE | 27,866.24 |
BALANCE SHEET
BAL BR FWD JULY 24 19,387.33 INCOME 24-25 36,490.28 EXPENDITURE 24-25 -28,011.37 BALANCE 27,866.24 SAVINGS ACCOUNT 27,000.00 CURRENT ACCOUNT 772.93 PETTY CASH 93.31 O/S CREDITORS 0.00 O/S DEBTORS 0.00 BALANCE 27,866.24
As at 31/07/2025
Dick Hewett, Treasurer
| SUMMARY.' | .. |
INCOMEEXPENDITUREBALANCE |
|---|---|---|
| EASTER RAFFLE | s62.00 | |
| CHARITIESFAIRS | 236.30 | |
| MAYORSEHARITY | 500.00 | |
| MAYORS PICNIC | 211.54 | |
| BEGGARS BELIEF CONCER | 750.00 | |
| ROMSEY SINGERS | CONCEF370.95 | |
| OUTINGSCONTRIBUTIONSO.OO | ||
| ROMSEY UKELELE | GROUP1,BOO-OO | |
| DUTTONGREGORY | 9,549.46 | |
| BOOKSALES | 17.50 | |
| OTHER FUNDRAISING | 49.00 |
|
| G | FTAiD OTHERDONATIONS |
|
| INTEREST | 196.91 | |
| GRANTS | 17,27O.OO | |
| -367e0-26. |
|
.50
OTHER FUNDRAISING
49.00
G|FTAiD
349.60
OTHERDONATIONS
4,627.02
INTEREST
196.91
GRANTS
17,27O.OO
-367e0-26.||
|---|---|
|WAGES|17,140.80|
||NTERNET &LAPTOPS
XMAS/EASTER/OUTINGS|6,648.i7
998.22|
|GENEXP|367.95|
|PLAYEQUIPMENT|728,53|
|TRAVEL|562.00|
|SAGEPAYROLL|145.20|
|FUNDRA|SINGCOSTS
TRAINING|325.66
275.00|
|INSURANCE/OFSTED|819.84|
||28,0i1.37|
| BAL BR FWD JULY 24 | 19,387.33 |
|---|---|
| tNcoME24-25 | 36,490.28 |
| EXPENDITURE 24-25 BALANCE |
-28,01 1.37 -W |
| SAVINGSACCOUNT | 27,000.00 |
| EURRENT ACCOUNT | 772.93 |
| PETTY CASH | 93.31 |
| O/S CREDITORS | 0.00 |
| OISDEBTORS | 0.00 |
| BALANCE | 2 |