Registered Charity No. 306356
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday 2[nd] October 2024
Woodlands Meed College, Burgess Hill, 2pm
Chairs Report for the year 2023
We have been able to complete some long awaited large projects at the School Site during 2023 with funding from donations we have been waiting to spend. The main refurbishment of the Sensory room has been completed bringing it up to date with all the incredible technological advances that have improved since it was originally installed. There is one more instalment to be finalised in 2024 to fully complete the room with an amazing motion sensing camera/light projector to fully allow PMLD learners to interact with the equipment using limited movement and coordination, but the room has already been enthusiastically welcomed by learner and staff for the benefits it brings. So far we have funded £21,964 toward this project with a further £9,000 to follow in 2024 to complete the project, this project was generously funded by a private donor.
The other major project completed in 2023 has been the outside Rebound Therapy Area. This is a fantastic addition to the outside space at the School, enabling all learners to be able to access the resource whatever the weather for rebound therapy sessions, self regulating sensory processing and some fun bouncing to experience the joy of movement. The project is fully accessible to everyone and includes a hoist and additional equipment to help users on and off the sunken trampoline at ground level. This project cost £35,531 to complete and was generously fundraised for by the members of Haywards Heath Golf Club.
Whilst the major projects are incredible assets to have completed for Woodlands Meed, the smaller projects and initiatives Friends of Woodlands Meed fund for the School and College are just as important.
In 2024 we funded pupil rewards of £3686, enabling class teams to have a budget of £15 per child to spend how they wish on special extras for their class – things like subsidising trips out or extra special items for activities.
We funded £1591.48 on ‘Wishlist’ items – enabling class teams to request extra funding for items to enhance the pupils learning experiences that the School and College budget can’t fund.
We also funded the College prom which ensured another year of an amazing Prom for our leavers that College didn’t have to charge families for. Friends were also able to make significant donations to important projects at the College for helping with employability for our students post Woodlands Meed with donations to the Meeds Job Club, Enterprises and the Alumni group as well as local community outreach enabling the Elderflower Fields team to be established.
We also supported Woodlands Meed Arts week with a donation and the PE department with Sports Kit and Sports Leaders Hoodies.
The donating of funds is the relatively easy part compared to fundraising it! To be able to provide the School and College with all these wonderful things the Friends of Woodlands Meed have worked really hard to keep the money coming in by organising fundraising events like the KangaFriends Festive Fair (for the 2[nd] year), promoting initiatives like ‘Easyfundraising’ and other charity schemes, as well as being a presence wherever possible to ‘tin shake’ and raise the profile of Woodlands Meed within our local community.
A large majority of our funds come from wonderful supporters who take on fundraising challenges for us or make generous donations. In 2023, College teacher Leah Nimz took on the Brighton Marathon for us, the School and College took on their annual sponsored activity day, some wonderful local grandparents put on a dazzling Christmas light display and the amazingly talented Mountain Class took their carol singing performance ‘on Tour’ and raised ‘buckets’ for us. We continue to be supported by local businesses and groups and a special thank you to Embarr Developments for your continued support and Burgess Hill Lions for always helping us.
We couldn’t achieve any of our aims without the ongoing support of the Woodlands Meed family, parents, carers, staff and governors – who all embrace our initiatives and help support how they can so generously. We are so lucky to be supported by the local community and wider Woodlands Meed family who continually amaze me with their generosity of time and enthusiasm to help support our cause.
FOWM remains a small group of volunteers but it makes up for its lack of numbers in inspiring amounts of ambition, creativity, enthusiasm and teamwork. With only four committee members we achieve a lot when you reflect on the year. Thank you Boo, Alex & Sarah for all your commitment, time, hard work and support in 2023.
Anna Hull Chair 2.10.24
Charity Information for the year ended 31 December 2023 TRUSTEES
| December 2023 | |
|---|---|
| TRUSTEES | Anna Hull |
| Beverley Savage | |
| Inga Herhily | |
| PRINCIPAL ADDRESS | Woodlands Meed School |
| Chanctonbury Road | |
| Burgess Hill | |
| West Sussex | |
| RH15 9EY | |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER | 306356 |
| COMMITTEE | |
| Chair | Anna Hull |
| Treasurer | Alex Rothery |
| Secretary | Beverley Savage |
| Members | Sarah Overall |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees [-,( /tfvJ J L,'I AJOO /JL/l /bl/)fj' n4&k-J Charity no {if any) On accounts for the year ended J/ /)iL- 262S Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended31 12 2L)zs As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). Responsibilities and basis of report I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5){b} of the Act. Independent tThe charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of linsert name of applicable listed bodyll. Del8te [ ] if not applicable. I have cornpleted my examination. I confirm that no material matlers have corne to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ') which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and 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. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed". Date: Name: /L4kl Relevant professional qualification(s) or body IER Oct 2018
(if any).. Address: gj t//6/o / A/A L/ /rf ,/MA<o /J r7-/ io tr/3 Jfvi Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items thal the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018