2025-08-31-accounts - Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association

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Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

Registered charity: 802993 www.wfda.org.uk

54 Church Hill London E17 9RY

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

Patron David McLoughlin Trustees Acting Chair: Katherine Hewlett (from Jul 2025 : was Vice Chair) Secretary: John McMenemy Treasurer: Elly Pearce Other trustees: Marcia Brisset-Bailey (to Nov 2024) Isaac Kanu (from Jul 2025) Katherine Marshall Sadia Mirza Carol Newnham (Safeguarding) -Roberts (from Jul 2025 ) Heather Symonds (to Oct 2024 ) Sandra Rigobert (from Jul 2025) Staff, Tutors, Support & Bank Co-ordinator: Sheena Penfold (from Oct 2024) Karen Sparkes (to Oct 2024) Class Tutors: Carolyn Browne Dawn Budd Maxine Johnson Rosemary Jolliffe Sheena Penfold Linda Witham Screening: Lois Hood (to Dec 2024) Debra Lewis Katherine Marshall Sheryl Myers (from Aug 2025) Elly Pearce Adult Groups: Katherine Hewlett Sadia Mirza Website: Jane Walker Helpline Volunteers: Debra Lewis Elly Pearce (emails) Finance Volunteer: David Pearce

Bank: CAF Bank, West Malling, Kent

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

Annual Report

ADULT WORK

During this financial year, the following services have been delivered:

Adult screenings
Adult Meetups with Advocate talks and speakers
Neurodivergent Advocate Leadership Programme (NALP)

The numbers of service users are steady and include national and regional attendees. People can either regularly attend the sessions or drop in. We are still able to provide most of our services free of charge, which makes them fully accessible; but we have had to start charging for screenings as we ran out of funding.

Adult Meetups

WFDA Adult Meetups are on Zoom with sessions lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. There is a regular attendance of 10-20 neurodivergent adults. A Zoom invite is sent out three days before the event to 170 people on the WFDA database. The recording is then sent out following the meetup. There are flyers for each event, which are posted on the WFDA website. In addition, we use Jisc mail, Facebook and Instagram to raise awareness of our work. Many participants contact us through word of mouth, our partnerships and through the screening service, which can often be a progression route to our Zoom sessions.

The Neurodivergent Advocate Leadership Programme (NALP)

There was a successful application to the National Lottery Awards for All for the Neurodivergent Advocate Leadership Programme (NALP) from May 2024 to May 2025 (£9,260).

The project has developed leadership skills building on our Advocacy Programme supporting the mental health of neurodivergent (ND) in 2023. We have delivered a to navigate employment. The training has strengthened self-awareness, emotional intelligence and skills for leadership with neurodiversity as a core value. The sessions trained nine advocates to train others in this leadership approach "Training the Trainer".

The Advocates are already using our learning to shape future projects in Advocacy and Inclusive Leadership.

The film of our Advocates' discussion on the role, impact and the benefit of inclusive leadership: https://youtu.be/ZylCrQ9R7Oo

https://youtu.be/ZylCrQ9R7Oo

Also the skills of our advocate presentation:

https://youtu.be/NsSiqDS0J8E

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

The Training sessions were:

difficult conversations, leading teams, and

All are up on the YouTube for accessibility and can be accessed on the WFDA website at: https://wfda.org.uk/adults/

There was one Zoom dissemination event in February 2025, and a face-to-face dissemination event in Waltham Forest Town Hall in April 2025. We would like to thank the Mayor’s Office and the Mayor Sharon Waldron for hosting this event and supporting the WFDA.

WFDA would like to thank our Advocates: Alicia, Rose, Jennifer, Andrew, Maddie, Dee, Sadia, Andre, Kenyah and Beck y.

Information about our Advocates is on: https://wfda.org.uk/volunteers/

Virtual work

This work has now generated a WhatsApp group to continue and strengthen this work. In this way, we aim to ensure the lived experience is truly supported by positive role models drawn from our ND community.

FUNDRAISING

Several pupils from classes took part in our first ever ‘Do and Donate’ fund -raising week in June. They helped to raise just over £1,000 for WFDA.

WFDA was the chosen charity of the 2024-25 Mayor of Waltham Forest (Councillor Sharon Waldron) ~~.~~ We are grateful for her support ~~.~~ Advocates attended Mayor’s events in August and September 2024.

SCREENINGS

WFDA continue to offer screening as a service for those for whom the cost of a full diagnostic assessment is prohibitive. Sometimes parents do go on to full assessment for their child, adults too, and we can give ideas of where they might go, but this is with the knowledge that it is worth spending the money or saving up for. Screening is an important service particularly for the under 8 age group as they are too young for full diagnostic assessment. It can give parents and schools information on how to best help the child.

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

Our team of screeners this year was Elly Pearce and Debra Lewis (primary), Katherine Marshall (secondary), Lois Hood and Sheryl Myers (adults). Lois continued till December when the funding ran out and since then we have recruited Sheryl. All the team are dyslexia specialists who have completed assessment training, and consequently are able to give a specialist view, rather than just a simple result from the computer programmes or from the other assessment tools used.

As we have continued without suitable premises Elly did 32 and Debra did 20 primary screenings at home during the year. Debra is on the website for parents to make contact.

Katherine Marshall has carried out 15 secondary screenings from her home during the year and will continue if necessary, but would like to retire if we can find a new person. For secondary pupils this can often mean advising if extra time in exams would be helpful. Her details are on the website so she can be contacted directly.

We are continuing to use the LUCID screening tools with school aged pupils as before. The primary age ones are online but the software for older pupils has not been updated to online. We ask for donations of £50 or what they can afford. Since September we have put this up to £75. We do not want anyone to be excluded on grounds of cost although most in fact do pay the full amount. The majority of students we see are from Waltham Forest schools but we also have some from Haringey, Hackney, Newham, Redbridge, Epping, Loughton and occasionally from further afield such as Harlow. This is because they would not find a similar service offered in those areas. Some Waltham Forest schools refer pupils to us but most self-

Lois resigned as chair and trustee at our AGM in Nov 2023 but kindly agreed to keep screening adults for us while we had grant funding. She carried out 6 full screenings and went through checklists with another 34. She operated from her home by telephone and zoom. For many adults the cost of a diagnostic assessment is out of reach but sometimes it helps just to know, hence going through the checklists with an expert. We were able to offer adult screenings free of charge through the grants obtained for adult work but had to suspend this service due to lack of funding and personnel to do it. We recruited Sheryl in May but without funding we have been charging £60. She carried out 2 screenings in August and has advised others.

SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding and Child Protection and Safeguarding Adults are taken very seriously at WFDA.

Safeguarding is what we do to prevent harm, while child protection is the way in who regularly work with the children and adults.

We have safeguarding and child protection policies and procedure documents, that are regularly updated, with the last update in May 2025, which is still current. We also have a Safeguarding Policy for Adults (October 2025), for our work with adults,

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

both children and adults and a dedicated email address for safeguarding concerns, which can be found on our safeguarding documents and on our website, under

Safeguarding is a set item on the agenda of both trustee and tutor meetings.

All tutors and screeners and anyone working with children have enhanced DBS certificates and these are regularly checked and updated. Our umbrella company for DBS checking remains as Atlantic Data. DBSs are valid for 3 years and people are encouraged to sign up to the DBS Update Service so renewals can be easily checked. There is no legal requirement for DBS screening for those working with the adults over the age of 18 years that we engage with, as we are not involved in ‘regulated activities’ with them, however our adult lead does have a valid enhanced DBS.

Tutors and screeners receive regular safeguarding training and British Values - training, including ‘on line safety’, as our classes remain mostly online ~~.~~ Touch Typing classes are currently taught at two local schools and WFDA liaise with the school’s safeguarding team, when necessary ~~.~~ Some numeracy classes are taught in tutor’s homes and additional risks assessments are in place alongside our safeguarding and child protection policies. Our tutors and screeners are vigilant in their approach to safeguarding and child protection.

seriously and acted upon. This issue was resolved with an adjustment to the relevant risk assessment provided by the tutor and informing all other student's parents of the change for their approval. All parents were happy with the new risk assessment, and

Our Adult Safeguarding Lead works closely with our DSO and this year no concerns regarding adults at risk, were reported.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Over the past year, the WFDA ’s social media accounts (primarily Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) have maintained a steady online presence with a gradual increase in followers, particularly on Facebook and Instagram. These platforms continue to be used to promote WFDA events, including our adult meet-up groups and discussions on topics relevant to dyslexia and neurodiversity. Although overall activity has been limited, engagement levels remain consistent, and there is clear potential to build on this progress. We are currently looking to expand the social media team to ensure updates and posts about neurodiversity are more regular and consistent. In addition, we are working closely with a new trustee who is leading on rebranding the WFDA, with the aim of strengthening our online identity and improving how we communicate with our community.

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

WFDA website (www.wfda.org.uk) continues to be a useful contact point and resource. Thank you to Jane Walker who supports us very well with this work.

WORK WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Classes continued to operate online for Literacy and in-person for Touch-Typing and Numeracy. We were able to offer two different venues, in Walthamstow, for TouchTyping Classes and have built strong relationships with both schools.

Our Numeracy tutor ran classes from her home. However, due to ill health, classes were suspended from January to July 2025. Moving forward, Rosemary Jolliffe , our Touch-Typing Tutor and experienced teacher has kindly agreed to offer Numeracy Classes, at her own home, from September 2025. This will be until our Numeracy Tutor is well enough to return.

Our four Literacy Tutors continued to work hard, preparing bespoke lessons that offered support particular to individual needs and learning preferences. They also continued to share ideas and experiences, to best support each pupil and develop themselves.

Long standing Literacy Tutor, Dawn Budd , retired in July. We thank her for her tremendous commitment to WFDA and the many students that she supported. We wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement.

In October, Karen Sparkes as a Dyslexia Specialist; having recently qualified, Karen wanted to put her newfound skills into practice. Sheena Penfold Co-ordinator and carried out her new duties alongside her literacy tuition.

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During the year we supported 58 students, ranging from 8 to 16 years of age. As well as delivering the specialist lessons, tutors also supported pupils transitioning from

We also continued to be part of the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme and were able to recognise the achievements of three of our students, with Jack Petchey Awards. In November, these students attended the Annual Jack Petchey Achievement Award Ceremony for Waltham Forest and were presented with awards by the Mayor of LBWF.

We also ran a Parents Workshop in the Spring, which several of our Class families attended. They all enjoyed viewing, trying and discussing resources with the tutors and screeners present.

We thank the Three Oaks Trust for their continued funding (£10,000) during the year. We were also grateful to receive funding from Tesco Golden Grants (£5,000) and local football club, West Essex FC (£4,000). Funding helps tremendously and enables WFDA to provide invaluable support to so many children and young people.

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

TRUSTEES

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association (WFDA) is a registered charity governed by its to advance the education of persons who are dyslexic, provide support and information, and advance the education of the public to make society more dyslexicfriendly.

The honorary officers of the Association and not more than twelve other trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting of members. The trustees may co-opt other persons to be trustees, provided that the number of co-opted trustees does not exceed one third of the total number of trustees.

In the year Marcia Brissett-Bailey and Heather Symonds resigned as trustees. We thank them for their varied input into the charity.

-Roberts were co-

opted as trustees.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

main sources of funds this year have been grants, donations and fees for tuition and screenings. The grants and donations allow the fees to be set at a level for families who would otherwise not be able to afford similar support. The main costs are for running tuition and screenings.

-raising.

At the end of the year the Association held mainly Unrestricted Reserves. Further

RESERVES POLICY

The WFDA Reserves Policy is to maintain sufficient level of reserves to enable normal operating activities to continue should a shortfall in income occur and to take account of potential risks and contingencies that may arise from time to time.

In order to make a judgment on the amount of reserve the Trustees have considered the risks in respect of expenditure, unrestricted income and where appropriate restricted income. Also taken into consideration are any external identified potential major risks to income and expenditure during the year under consideration.

After reviewing our current position the trustees have decided the following:

and related activities, which within the current budget period and allowing for grants already agreed, equates to £13,600 (currently £14,000 see note 2)

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

The General Fund (currently £14,329 see note 1) is sufficient to provide day to day working capital and allow WFDA to fund new developments.

This policy will be reviewed annually by the trustees.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity which the guidance is relevant.

SUMMING UP

As a final note, we would like to thank all our members, parents of our pupils, adults who take part in our adult groups and other friends for their continuing support of our fundraising and other activities. We are also grateful to our members who gift aid their subscriptions and donations enabling us to reclaim tax they have paid. Thank you to you all for your interest, support and commitment to WFDA now and in the future.

Katherine Hewlett Acting Chair of Trustees 9 November 2025

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

Independent Examiner s Report to the members of the Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association for the year 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025

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 of the Charities

It is my responsibility to:

(1) examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
(2) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
(3) to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of 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 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 Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities 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.

Zita Derbak MAAT AATQB Independent Examiners Ltd The Grain Store Hills Barns Appledram Lane South Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7EG 11 November 2025