Charity Registration number: NIC100114
Aso
'teacht i méadalocbt-
SOLAS ANNUAL REPORT (01/07/22 TO 30/06/23)
PRESENTED BY.. DR JOAN HENDERSON
SOLAS
PARKMORE BUILDING, 284A ORMEAU RD, BELFAST, BT7 2GB

SOLAS ANNUAL REPORT (01/07/22 TO 30/06/23)
CHARITY OBJECTIVES
Key objectives
Solas is Company Limited by Guarantee and not Limited by Share Capital, and was constituted on
23, March 2009.
To provide practical supports & services for child ren and young people with disabilities and their
families
To advance the educational and social development of children and young people with additional
needs, including those children that fall outside remit of support offered by statutory providers
CHARITY LOCATION
During the period July 2022 to June 2023, soias's main site was located in Parkmore Building, 284A
Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 2GB. We also have a lease on a fi'rst floor premises at 265 Ormeau Road ,
where we house our Home Support Services and our Therapeutic Services. During the period, we took
a further lease on the a double mobile unit at the YMCA in Stranmillis, and refurbished it as a workable
space for our new SONA programme and our respite programme. In addition, we delivered support
services in 7 Outreach Community settings across south Belfast. Donegall Pass Community Centre,
Apsley Hall IApsley Street}, Rosario Youth Centre, Sure5tart Building Markets, , Windsor Women's
Centre, Scoil a n Droichid, and Village Church Hall Haypark.
CHARITY DIRECTORS / TRUSTEES
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During the year I, July 2022 to 30 June 2023, 11 trustees managed the charity including;
Chalrperson (resigned as chair in April 20231-Tom Doran- expertise in trainln& people management,
quality systems, and networking.
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New Chairperson (since 19 April 20231- Fionnguala McCotter- expertise in Special Education Needs
and educational management- current principal of primary school.
Treasurer Catrlona Nic Sheain- expertise in early years education, and literature and has own
creative business
New treasurer Isince 19 April 2023)-Jean McGann- finance expertise (working with the Department
of Finance) and also has a child with disabilities.
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Secretary-joanne Mercer (since 19 April 2023) primary school teacher and mum to a boy with
Disabilities
Director- Elaine Holmes1Social Worker)
expertise in Health & Social care as well as Safeguarding.
Director- Ciaran Marley (resigned on 19 April 20231
Director- Ross Reid - Qualifi'ed Architect - expertise in architecture, planning, building regulations.
Director- Emily Gallagher- Parent representative with two sons Wlth disabilities- expertise in autism.
Director- Laura Burrows- Social Worker (resigned in Jan 2023}- expertise in supporting children and
young people with a range of complex needs, as well as expertise in child safeguarding.
Director- Mairead McCartan- Engineer- experknse in Health & Safety, Fire Safety, joined in Feb 2022.
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OUTSOURCING ARRANGEMENTS
Solas outsources payroll, HMRC, Tax and Companies House returns to Tax Assist Accountants, 103
Cregagh Road, Belfast, BT6 8PY.
CHAIRPERSON'S SUMMARY
Over the financial yearjuly 2022 to June 2023, Solas has continued on a growth trajectory, both in terms
of services, and income. The big development for Solas over the 12 month period, was setting up and
operationalising the SONA (Young AdLJlts Day Transistions I programmel This involved takinB a lease on
a new site at YMCA , Stranmillis, and ref urbishing it to include a sensory room, a kitchen / cookery
space, IT facilities (including WiFil, an open plan social & learning area and bathrooms. This new service
supports young adults, not suitable or ready for employment, offering a well-resourced facility, social
opportunities with peers, and life skills development at a pace appropriate to each young adult on the
programme. Participants can use Direct Payments to access the programme. The programme can
accommodate up to 12 adults each day, and runs between 9am and 3pm Monday through to Friday. By
the end of June 2023, the proBramme is still in early days, however, there is a summer adult programme
planned that will see over 30 young adults supported across 9110 weeks of summer 2023.
During the year, our main Parkmore site, on the Om)eau Road, continued to run at full capacity,
delivering Early years programmes between 8.45am and 2.15pm pm each day; afterschools
programmes between 2.45pm and 5,45pm and youth programmes every evening between 6.15 pm and
9pm, Saturday clubs and evening / weekend respite was also running at full capacity, supporting
children and young people with a range of complex needs, and in many cases offering transport to and
from home to ensure maximum respite benefit to family carers.
Whilst, this year, saw us continuing to facilitate bespoke weekly home support programmes in the home,
as well as a full suite of therapeutic interventions for children & young people with additional needs and
their carers. This included play therapy, art therapy, group therapy, children's counselling and adult
counselling. We also continued to deliver parent support programmes and parent support specific to the
Early Years parents, with children going through the statementing process. Throughout the year, our
Siblings programme, continued to be developed and supported over 25 young carers throughout the year.
Undef our educational remit, we started to re-build our Back on Track {school based I programme, which
had largely been decimated over the COVID period. Between September 2022 and June 2023, our Back
on Track Co-ordinator engaged 18 retired teachervolunteers, who delivered support to over 360 children
with additional needs (literacy and numeracy), across 15 primary schools, over the year. Throughout the
period, we continued to deliver our Kids Den educational program to 37 children with an additional
learning needs based in South Belfast Urban Village.
Our respite services has continued to be in high demand, particularly in the evening5 and weekends, Our
summer scheme ran in July and August of 2022 across 4 venues including Scoil an Droichid, Windsor
Women's Centre, Rosario Youth Centre and our own premises in Parkmore. We continue to be part of a
number of important delivery partnerships. We deliver the STEP programme with Barnardos, Surestart,
BSCR and Forward South Partnership. This Early Intervention STEP programme across South Belfast
allows Solas to support over 36 families through Home Support as well as 20 young people on our
REACH Youth programme. We have a Service Level Agreement with South Belfast Surestart, where we

provide 10 spaces to their 2-3 years on our specialist Seedlings Programme. We continued delivering our
vouth provision, primarily with the support of the Empowering Young People Big Lottery Fund.
As Chair of a wonderful charity, I want to thank the children, the parents, and our Board for all that they
have done and all that they continue to ensure Solas continues to provide practical support to a
growing number of children & young people with disabilities and their families. Special thanks to the
staff and volunteers in SOLAS who's commitment and dedication is exceptional. They all have
contributed enormously over the year under difficult circumstances and I want to commend their
motivation, innovation and stamina in all they do.
I look forward to our continued growth at SOLAS and delivering incredibly important seNices to children
& young people with disabilities and their families.
Chair. F Mccotter

11
11

Annual Review of July 2023- June 2024
The establishment of SONA at a leased site on YMCA in Stranmillis was one of the key deliverables
of the year. This program was set up to accommodate young adults leaving Special School, who
need to be in a day provision, continuing to learn life ski115, and develop social skills alongside
their peers. This SONA programme is very much in pilot phase and has been based on generating
fees from participants who acce55 Direct payments (a55e55ed by Disability Social Workers), which
are payable to Solas, on a monthly basis. The programme runs every day (Monday to Friday)
between 9am and 3pm and include5 trips, gardening in the new polytunnel, cookery, dance,
music, exercise and fun. We Secured a 5 year lease the YMCA mobile unit, and installed a sensory
room as well as cookery space polytunnel and social / learning space.
sonA
SUPPORTinG OPPORTuniTIES
FOR ADULTS
GATEWAY,,
,} TO THE IJNIVERSE

Young People Enjoying activities at SONA
WHAT ELSE WE DO?
In addition to the above, Solas delivered the following range of programmes and services in the
year which can be broadly cate8orised into four key areas.
Social Develo
ment Pro
rammes: supporting children and young people with additional needs
including autism. These include; Early Years programme, Afterschools programmes across four
locations, Monday through to Friday afternoon, for children aged 4-14 years, with autism and a
range of learning disabilities, Saturday programmes (Morning and afternoon), Respite (afternoon,
evening and weekends), Youth programmes every evening, for junior and senior youths lup to
191 with disabilities, Youth residential, and Summer Schemes.
Famil Su
ort
Thera
eutic Services . These programmes support families of children & young
people with a range of disabilities including autism, and include our Home Support & Therapeutic
Services, our Parent support se55ions, Carer & Wellbeing Programme, Parent & Toddler sessions,
Play & Stay Sessions, Sibling programme and our Family Fun Days.
Outreach Pro
rammes:
We deliver some outreach work, particularly in the area of autism support, across the City and
into the Family Hubs. This work includes delivering Training workshops to community groups /
staff working in the community and staff in schools. Much of this outreach involves, supporting
SENCOS in schools, partnering with other organisations to plan and deliver research {Autism
Friendly Village research with SBSS) and delivering training on autism awareness.

Educational Su
ort Pro
rammes These programmes support children with some mild
additional learning needs, and include our Back on Track (BOT) programme and our Kids Den
Programmes.
Youth taking part octivities
All of the Programmes listed above are delivered and maintained by a team of 14 full-time staff,
34 part-time staff, 13 bank staff and over 60 volunteers, Our Back on Track programme is heavily
reliant on the support of retired teacher volunteers who provide I:1 weekly sessions on literacy,
or numeracy, to children in mainstream schools who have an additional need, but do not meet
the threshold for additional statutory support, This programme was re-established by the co-
ordinator, Kate Diamond, (following COVID), in Jan 2022, and by the end of June 2023, it had 18
retired teacher volunteers out supporting 15 schools and over 360 children with addition needs.
Our summer scheme, also relies heavily on volunteers, and over the summer period of 2022,
Jenny our volunteer co-ordinator, had recruited and engaged 35 student volunteers to help
support the delivery. Other volunteers / placement from Intern Europe, and the local universities
were also involved in volunteering across our Kids Den, Early years Afterschools and youth
provision.

Ipql
Back on Track Volunteer Training and Kids
Den Activity
EARLY YEARS PROGRAMME
Kathryn K and her team, have continued to build an excellent, very high-quality Specialist Earlv
Years (EY} Programme, for 18 children aged 2-3 years with additional needs and thi5 year also a
3-4 year old pilot programme for 12 children with additional needs. Through the support of
Department of Education Funding, the team has delivered a full programme of EY support. The
Start of the years saw the establishment of the Belfast Wide Early Years Programme, led by Solas
in partnership with, Glenbrook Surestart, East Belfast Surestart and Kids Together. It also had
direct input from the Allied Health professionals (SLTS and OT51 as well as direct input from
Educational Psychologists. All groups collaborated to deliver specialist developmental provision
for almost 80 children, 2-3 and 3-4 year olds across the city in line. Following a detailed
evaluation, conducted independently by Jane Turnbull, the Programme wa5 approved for
funding and delivery again in 23124 by the Department of Education.
As above, these Early Years programmes include input from SLTS and OT5 as well as Educational
Psychologists. Children attend 3 to 4 sessions per week across the full academic year. Sessions
are delivered by our Early Year's team, and include Attention Autism, Makaton behavior support
and delivering on the developmental need5 of each individual child. In parallel with this, we
offer one to one family support sessions. parent training sessions (Make and Take,
communication, what is autism etc.).
The input from the Child Development Clinics is a key feature of the programme. The Belfast
Wide Early Years Programme for Children with Additional Needs (Partnership), has presented a
real workable opportunity for Educational and Health professionals to work together in

Community Settings with community professionals, in a way that truly benefits children and
provides real opportunities for effi'ciencies. Over the year, we continued our Service Level
agreement with South Belfast Surestart,(SBSSI, agreeing to allocate 10 spaces on our Specialist
Early Years Team to SBSS referrals. Solas is keen to partner with strong, reputable partners and
sees partnership as a key tenant of future Community Service Delivery.
Our weekly play and stay for toddlers and parents also took place throughout the year- a social
group for parents to meet with other parents with very young children with developmental
delay.
(JQ

ASD Afterschools / Respite and Saturday Clubs
During the year Solas continued to develop our afterschool programmes to accommodate the
bespoke needs of our growing client base. With 2 x minibuses on the road and available for
school pickups, we were able to accommodate more children, and better support the childcare
and respite needs of families. Lisa Toan, the Childcare Services & Respite Manager, worked in
tandem with Rebecca the Respite Co-ordinator to develop bespoke respite packages, that would
meet the specific needs of children who could not cope in a group / social situation. This allowed
us to accommodate more complex young people, with I to I respite sessions or 2 to I respite
sessions. We had developed capacity to ensure our Afterschool and Sat programme delivery
can run alongside the respite. Following the annual Inspections in December'22 and January
'23, our Belfast Health & Social Care Trust registered settings, were recognized for the very high
quality of care that staff provide to children attending. Funding of these programmes continues
to be challenging, however, we have put a bigger emphasis throughout the year, on bringing in
children that have acce5S to BHSCT Direct payments, and which allows us to charge at a slightly
higher hourly rate of £14.83, compared to an hourly rate of £10 for Self Funded spaces. It's
fine balance between meeting need and reducing the number of Self-Funded spaces. We also
have support from the Bright Start Fund, which helps to cover some of the Manager's salary.
However, we have to continue to try and secure some core funding to cover overheads, across
the organization, and make the case for fairness and equity for all.
Staff training has been high on our priority list over the past year, Two staff completed a Level 5
in Managing a Childcare Settrng. 20 staff completed Supporting Participation and Wellbeing.
Three early years Staff completed Sensory Training, and 4 staff members completed online
modules in Playwork with Playboard. Safeguarding refresher training was completed by 25 staff,
Pediatric First Aid has been completed by 10 staff. 6 childcare staff updated their Food

Preparation qualifications; an additional Child Designated Officer was trained up, (Solas now has
3 Designated CPOS), and 4 staff received specialist training delivered by Community Nursing on
site, in order to be able to support children with specific medical needs at Solas.
The profile of children attending Afterschools has changed significantly over the years, with over
900A of children coming into the service attending special schools. Feeder schools include,.
Thorbank Special School, Glenveagh Special School, Haberton Special School, Oakwood Special
School, Fleming Fulton, St Gerards, Greenwood House Assessment Centre, Hollycroft Special
School, and Cedar Lodge School.
Solas operates a pick up service from Thorbank School, Greenwood House, Fleming Fulton,
Glenveagh, Oakwood and Harberton. Throughout the year, we also provided a drop home
service for those who needed this service.
104.
The afterschool programme on the Parkmore site is at full capacity with 8 children in each
session. Jenny supervise5 this programme, and is ably supported by a team of assistants, bank
staff and volunteer5. Assistants have undertaken sensory play training, safeguarding training and
autism training. We have a number of children in sessions With complex medical issues,
requiring more specialist training, which nominated staff have received from designated nurse5
and training agencies. During the year, children in the afterschool sessions have taken part in
therapeutic art sessions, yoga, and visit5 from the Sensory Bus. The children have grown a range
of wildflowers, fruits and vegetables in our raised beds.

Our Donegall Pass ASD Afterschool programme also ran at full capacity from Sept 22 to June
2023. The age profile of children attending this club is younger than our Parkmore site, with a
significant proportion of children coming from Greenwood Special School and Oakwood Special
School. Supervisors were ably supported by a team of assistants, bank staff and volunteers. As
with the Parkmore setting, all children were able to access sessions in therapeutic art, yoga and
the Sensory Bus.
We delivered six ASD Saturday Clubs (three on Saturday morning and three in the afternoon)
across the Parkmore site throughout year, and in the Markets Surestart building. Children
attending these social clubs ranged in age between 6 and 14 years.
Our plan going forward is to continue to develop the afterschools and respite provision,
providing as much support as possible to children with more complex needs, and in receipt of
Direct Payments. Over 165 children accessed the afterschools clubs, 35 accessed respite and 50
accessed some Saturday sessions in the year.

4J
SUMMERSCHEME
Summer is another key highlight in our autism programme delivery calendar. Over the summer
of 2022, we delivered the programme across 6 weeks, including a 2-week programme
specifically for the Early Years group. The school aged programme ran across 4 venues each
week in south Belfast, including, Parkmore, Donegall Pass Community Centre, Windsor
Women's Centre and Scoil an Droichid, Apsley Hall and Rosario Youth Centre. We have an
excellent relationship with all of our community partners and really appreciate the support they
give us through accessing their venues over the summer time.
The summer scheme is a huge commitment for the team. Lisa oversees the role of organizing
the summer scheme, with support from Mari-Therese in recruiting staff and Jenny in recruiting
volunteers for same. We had 168 children registered for the programme in summer 2022, and
a long waiting list. Additional staff were recruited and trained for the scheme. Throughout the
programme we were able to take children out on 2 to 3 trips per week per group.

Summer time - trips to the beach and playtime.
SOLAS YOUTH PROGRAMME.
Through the year, our youth programmes ran four nights of the week, Monday through to
Thursday, with each night targeting 2 different age groups or ability group. Each group (with the
exception of the very high needs group) has an average of 10 - 12 participants. With the
support of Big Lottery, we were able to deliver additional youth sessions, and keep the continuity
of the programme for all cohorts throughout the year. The REACH Youth Social Programme
builds Resilience through Exercise, Art, Communication and Health
engagement. These clubs
ran as I session per week and supported approx. 10 young people with autism, aged between
12 and 16 years. Young people engaged in a range of physical activities including boxing,
trampolining and yoga, as well a5 arts & crafts. In addition, each programme consisted of a range
of trips to places like the cinema, the Ozone center and walks on the beach. Asignificant amount
of energy and time was focused on developing the young people's social communication skills.
Our youth programme has over doubled in the past year, and continues develop in line with the
changing need5 of our young participants.
The youth programmes place a lot of emphasis on helping young people become more resilient
to managing changes / transitions. Through their participation, young people have developed a
network of peers and have had opportunity to socially communicate through exercise activities
as well as art. The programme supported young people with their mental health and instilled in
them a greater sense of valuing themselves - not Seeing their disability as an impediment but
as a strength.

Izz',11s
Tri
to Cli
& Climb
We integrated some life skills into sessions such as cookery, healthy eating and keeping safe
online. We also had experts from Action Mental Health, who delivered a range of workshops and
provided support on tools and techniques to adopt when feeling over-whelmed.
SOLAS 'BACK ON TRACK, PROGRAMME
Solas Back on Track Programme (BOT) tar8ets primary aged children within area5 across Nl that
experience high levels of deprivation including above average free school meals entitlement,

children on school special needs register, poor housing and low income families. Typically, these
children begin to disengage from formal education as early as Pl and by P2/P3 are already
demonstrating a lower sense of self-worth, are underachieving across the curriculum.Between
September 2022 and June 2023, OLJr Back on Track Co-ordinator engaged 18 retired teacher volunteers,
who delivered support to over 360 children with additional needs (literacy and numeracy), across 15
primary schools, over the year.
KIDS DEN
Under the leadership of Catriona, Kids Den operated 4 afternoons per week, offering one on
one support to 35 children each week, from the local area of South Belfast, The programme,
which is funded by Urban Villages, was delivered in Apsley Hall at Donegall Pass and served
children from the Markets, Donegall Pa55, Sandy Row, Lower Ormeau and Botanic. Catriona
along with staff assistants and some student volunteers have worked exceptionally hard to
inspire and encourage young children struggling with literacy, to help them grow in confi'dence
and self-esteem. Students can bank experience gained volunteering in the Kids Den land other
Solas programmesl, against the volunteering criteria in place to attain a QUB 'future ready
award, 3 to 4 students each afternoon, from a range of professional backgrounds, supported
children with homework and alternative activities on a l-l basis across the terms.
At Kids Den the children celebrate diversity and inclusion, and ensure all children feel respected
and valued by staff and peers. The children look forward to celebrating each other's birthdays,
and this provides them with the opportunity to sit at a table together and extend their social
skills. The children enjoyed celebrating the Chinese New Year. A staff member was able to share
Information about her culture, as she grew up in Malaysia. She brought in a chocolate gold coin,
inside a red envelope for each child and explained the reasoning behind this tradition. Each child
received a card which displayed their birth year's animal, and the typical personality traits of a
person born in this year.
To celebrate St Patricks day the children took part in St Patricks Day themed bingo. The children
enjoyed competing against their peers and had lots of fun during this activity.
Children also celebrated Ramandan in March / April , and those children in the kids Den were
able to discu55 Stories and the 'good deed, chain- which motivated the group to chart their good
deeds overthe month

'Kids
Den,
lilliHINIItr.'
,iiilhiimlllllll
J/

HOME Su
ort
During the year, we have experienced ongoing need from families seeking home support and
one to one home interventions, to support them with their child, taking them through the early
stages of diagnosis or pre- diagnosis. Michelle (who was on maternity leave for much of the
yearl and her team provided specialist support and advice to families in distress. Over 130
familie5 were supported through this programme during the year. There was a big demand for
support with the 'Statementing Process,, particularly between November and the end of
January. The team also provided practical Support to families, in their home, developing visual
schedules, choice boards, sourcing financial support where needed, and referring if necessary
to other in-house programmes (such as play therapy, art therapy or counselling}. The majority
of referrals came through the Family Support Hubs. We have tried to manage waiting lists, so
that no one is waiting longer than 12 weeks for the Home Support Service.
Respite
In addition to the Respite which runs alongside the afterschools program, we also introduced
bespoke respite for children and young people with very complex needs, and who really were
unable to cope in a group situation. Thi5 case is generally organized to fit with the family needs,
and can take the shape of a pick up, from home, a 3 hours respite session out of the house, and
then a drop home after the session. In most cases, we are supporting children on a 2 to I ratio,
12 staff to each child), which reflects the complexity of needs of the children availing of this
service. This area of work, provides care options for families of children with disabilities, and
ensures that families can avail of some much needed respite. Links with Children's Disability
Team Social Workers have been strengthened and a growing number of referrals to our respite
service are now coming through thi5 route. Similarly referrals from the Social Work LAC support
team {Looked After Children) have grown, as indeed have self-referrals. The majority of children
and young people availing of our respite services have a range of disabilities including autism,
and will invariably attend a special school. As an additional support, we try to offer transport
for families engaged in the bespoke respite programme.
Trainin
and Research
We have delivered a range of training sessions for parents on autism and how to support children
with ASD, offering session on communication issues, statementing process, transitions, preparing
for holidays and sibling 5UPPOrt. Our staff have also delivered training to external community
organization5 and school staff. We delivered sensory play training sessions to 10 primary schools
in South Belfast). We also delivered autism awareness training to staff in the Lyric and in local
community organizations including {Ark Housing, and Clanmill)
EXTERNAL PARTNERS IN DELIVERY- Solas has established a number of very strong delivery
partnerships including the STEP programme, and Early Intervention programme across South

Belfast delivered by Solas in partnership with Forward South Partnership, South Belfast Surestart,
Banardos and Belfast South Community Resources. Solas also has a partnership with South
Belfast Surestart for the delivery of the Urban Village'A Place for Me, programme, which focuses
specifically on the delivery of support interventions in the South Belfast Urban Village area, for
those with additional needs and theirfamilies. Finally Solas h3s a formal service level agreement
with South Belfast Surestart to support 10 children from the South Belfast Surestart area,
through our early Years program, which 15 a year-long intervention for children with additional
needs and their families, Also as highlighted above, Solas is lead partner in the BWEY Early Years
programme including 2 x Sure5tarts, as well as Kids Together, Allied Health professionals from
BHSCT and Educational Psychologists from the EA.
SIBLING PROGRAMME
Solas with funding from the Big Lottery was able to continue developing and delivering our
Sibling programme across the year. Siblings have to shoulder huge caring responsibilities at a
very young age, and very often their needs are overlooked as much of their parent's attention
goes to supporting their disabled brother or sister.
This programme was independently evaluated by Jane Turnbull Consultant and has shown to
deliver remarkable positive outcomes for those participating. Siblings have been able to relate
to others in the same position and form friendships with children who truly understand their
situation. This programme forms a key element of the National Lottery programme
Sibling team enjoying some art activities and a trip to Ozone Centre

Connections with Others. We
hosted a number of placement
students from the Msc in Atypical
Child Development at QUB and
Bachelors in Psychology Degree
programme.
We also have a relationship with
Intern Europe, which had one
student travel and work with us
from Switzerland for almost 9
months.
ri
During the summer of 2021, we
recruited a number of teachers
interested in summer work as well
as SEN assistants, who helped to
deliver our summer scheme.
Local families and groups in the community are very
supportive of Solas regularly drop in donations of
stationary, clothes and materials to support our
children sessions.
Reflection from the MD:
As we reflect back on the last 12 months, we can be proud of the work that has been achieved
at Solas, and the range and quality of services on offer. On a personal note, I would like to
acknowledge the significant contribution of our staff. Solas is very lucky to have such a strong
supportive team, of staff and volunteers. that fully embrace the values of our very special
organisation. Whilst we operate in a challenging environment, little certainty about future
funding, and ever-increasing costs, we have managed to carve out a very strong social business,
driven as much by hearts, as it is by minds.
Establishing the SONA program has been a very positive development and will help to support
many of those children in Solas approaching 19 years, and moving into adult services. In addition
it will help to bring some financial stability to the charity going forward.
Our therapeutics services has been a game changer in terms of supporting children and young
people with additional needs, with play and art therapy or counsellinE, Carers are a key focus of
the organization now, with offerings such as counselling services and well -being programmes,
a part of our expanding offering.
l am confident that we will continue to deliver great work going forward and raise awareness of
our work in the wider community. I would like to acknowledge the sterling work conducted by
our board over the past year, and the many hours they volunteered to ensure that the integrity
and credibility of Solas continues to be maintained. Thanks especially to our chairman Tom

Doran, who stepped down during the year and has given many years of support to the team,
and myself, Thanks to Fionnuala Mccotter for taking on the role of chair, and embracing this
position with passion, vigour and energy. I would also like to thank Anne Clarke who, through
her accountancy expertise, remains an invaluable support in ensuing that our accounts are kept
in order.
The Next 12 Months
In the next 12 months we will consolidate our existing programmes and work collectively to plan
for the development of our new building on site. We have started the proce55 of applying for
planning permission (July 20231, and would expect to have this secured over the coming 12
months.
We will continue to work diligently to support all of our children, young people and families,
through the Services that we offer. We will work hard to secure funding to allow us to continue
delivering the full 5Uite of services that we currently have available. We will continue to embrace
partnerships that give voice to those with disabilities, and we will remain committed to our
values or promoting fairness and equality for all (particularly those with disabilities).
Our Impact - Across All Solas Programme
2023
Descrlptlon
July 2022 to June 2023
People Directly
Impacted.
(People who
have availed of
the service{s)
provided.
37 children took part in our Kids Educational Den
programme- afterschool one to one support in literacy
provide by tutors and student volunteers
30 children aged 2-3 years and 3-4 years took part in out
Early Years Programmes.
25 families took part in our Parent & Toddle programme.
1324
165 children with autism aged 4 to 14 attended our
afterschool autism programme for social development
180 children with disabilities aged 4 to 14 took part in our
specialist summer scheme

60 children are registered and attended our Saturday autism
social development club.
25 siblings took part in our SiblinE Programmes
70 young people aged 11 to 16 are taking part on our REACH
and Youth Programmes supporting young people with
disabiliknes
25 young people accessed respite (either bespoke or in small
group setting)
150 parents directly benefited from home support for their
child with autism
150 children directly benefited from home support for their
child with autism
65 families directly benefitted from respite support
IQM) parents / teachers / classroom assistants and
community org workers directly benefitted from taking part
in training sessions
130 children / young people accessed play therapy or art
therapy between Jan and June 2022
20 adult carers accessed counselling
52 children / young people accessed complimentary services
(art therapy, clay therapy, trampolining)
20 carers accessed our health & well-being programme
20 young adults on SONA programme
Organisations
Directly
Impacted
13
8 schools gained support through Kids Educational Den
7 organisations were directly partnered with (Barnardos,
South Belfast SureStart, Kids Together, Forward South
Partnership, Belfast South Community Resource, Glenbrook
Surestart, East Belfast Surestart)

People
Indirectly
Impacted
People directly
linked to
service users
who have
Encompassing,"
Parents and Teachers of children on Kids Den Programmes &
Social Development programmes, parents of children in our
specialist autism afterschool programmes and Saturday
clubs, Parents of children with disabilities on our summer
scheme, parents of young people with disability on our
Youth Programmes, Parents receiving respite, Siblings on our
Sibling Programme, Children on our early Years Programme,.
family members of those receiving play therapy, art therapy
and counselling. Family members of those young adults on
our SONA programme.
5000+
Financial Revlew
It is the policy of Solas that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use,
should be maintained at a level equivalent to 3 to 6 months salary. Where specific projects have been
identified that require funding, an appropriate amount unrestricted funds can be designated to such
projects.

SOLAS
8TATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIE8
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
UDr••lrt¢t•d RMtAelod
nd*
lund•
202J
ZOZ3
Totsl
2023
2022
Chgriiablo AcllwMI
InY•$Thhi$
28J231
10
624.810
1,1 io,oso
10
838,917
244
Tot•1 In¢•m•
286.241
824.819
1.110.L*O
831,161
Chai51ablts 8clkn.1￿1
6.708
949.156
955,802
7,818
Totsl r¢jOu￿ r•a oxp•ndgd
949,150 955,eoz
703.818
Nol laxpond1l￿Thinn¢0MI lor th• y•ar
278.535
.124.337
154.198
133.343
Tv•n6lers behyeen lund$
x16.152
88.152
N•1 movonwnl fund•
192.39)
154,1
lJ3.34J
I.￿nd b•lan￿% al l Jvty 2W22
131.9)2
461.399
593,301
4S9.958
Fwnd ￿1•￿¢0• •t 30 Juno 2Q2¥
J24.28S
423.214
747.4
AM kncomii nnil wxi)JndilthTVJ delive lityn t￿11{nU5￿ ￿1th.
Tlie 61niomonl ol ac1￿7￿S alsoc¢wllo8WAhlhé IOW*emoii1sl￿ an InrAm￿¥￿Y oxporwJhui¢•e¢ouiil urjdoi
Ihc Companlee Ad 2LL

SOLAS
STATEMENT OF FINAIICIAL POSITION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
202)
2022
Flx•d ••ul•
TAnglbk •ss•ll
171.775
17SJfy)
Ctsri•nt a•¥ots
Dttblori
C8$h Al bank aThJ ITr hanth
30.￿3
601.830
26.824
*103.158
632.433
431,782
¢￿￿1¢ord,, &mounts tsllkng du• Ydllhln
one yoaf
io
{$6.7
{13,6811
Nel wwwonl ￿501•
576.724
418,101
M•t A88•18
747,499
B93.301
In¢om• lund•
Rg$lrlciod lund6
Unie8trklcd Imd•
11
42J.214
324.285
461.399
131.902
74T,499
S93,301
Theso fiTrAnthl sl*)tomonl6 h.Ivfy bgon prwrod hi •eeord•ne• vhlh lh• applkjblo lo the v)mpalllo8 8ub19el
ThD fin0￿?07 ￿nIeMaI)IS￿r0 apwurtd by Ihp Tnbs18•11 on ..
7ia
Flonnuu•la hkcollor
Truil
Comp•ny Regl•trallon No. N1072164
They were signed on behalf of the trustees, by: F Mccotter.

SOLAS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOLAS
Oplnlon
W• havè a￿lI0d th• finaftclal slat*￿0￿* ol SOtaÉ Ohé'¢hafity'l lot Iho yopr •TrJed 30 2023 wtw'th cornwi
the slolemenl of 4¢b'viV¢s, Ihe 8r#J nLXa* io tho financlol ilat•m•ni$, Indudir
6+gnSfK•ni lecounllng poldoi. Th• fin￿d01 reportry irarn%MA)th th81 h81 t•on •Pthd In tholf Pf•p•fitson 18
applica￿ law 8ThJ UThled ￿l￿￿Orn Accounling St8ndaids. I￿1￿ FRS 102 Tho sla￿19￿1
I￿1b1&111 UKI￿R￿￿￿e ollfy14ndlUnrted Klntyjthm CthgiAlly AceerAéd ACC￿￿n9 ￿9¢￿"¢*)
our ¢¥knlon, lh• firt￿¢141 ststsm•nls'.
L•ve u liue•ThJ fjif vivwol Ihe alale ollhechNlleblecomrArfs allalrs 82 al 30Jtm 21rd3 ènd ollls Incl￿1vj
iewrcos ond applU￿ ￿ iesowc*J. the ye•r It￿ endtd
hJ¥* be￿ prwrty pr¢pJf•d In K¢ord•rKe Lh)N•d Gen￿lty Acw Ac¢(¥Jrtk¥ prod1￿..
anij
h•v* teen prepwed In Ka¥d•rte T*Ath the r¢q￿rtmen11 olth• Cthwnlos Act 2008.
BJ81i lor oplnlon
CoThJ￿1¢d our 4￿11 In gCWTdone• wth Inlgmaijcrfwl Sl*kl•rd• én Authbng IUKI (ISA6 IUKII *KI oppll¢•ble1*4
Ow rewslbiliuej undei thos¢ $1gndarO$ ore fijrthor d•gcnbod In Atsdilofs r0s￿.Wbtth￿s lh4 ol 11
ftfinn¢iAI .waiwiMvil.s Wllon al our (•(￿ ￿ 8r• STrlependent of Ihe chafliy In wlh tho othi¢al
f¢4ulromontsthal èro folavani lo ouraudit ofiho fina￿¥ Slalom￿1% In It￿ UK. Indudkng Iho F"RC's Evyal S￿￿&10,
nd ￿ Iwve lullilled our Oiher *lhlcDI fe¥pM8ibbltties In accord•￿ *ith these req￿rIM￿lI. W• bg11ow th•1 Ihe
•udll evldonctswè havo oblaln¢d Is suir￿ert •TrJ aFwoprtaits10 wovld• è tsa￿$ lof ow oplnKIn,
Contlyilon* rnl•llny lo golng conc•m.
In Ju¢JiVng finandjl il•l¢m•nl3. we have ¢C¥KJuODd that th• Twst•ès' uw ol Iho gc&¥d co￿￿n bads ol
aCGounling In Ih8 Fx¢paiallon ol Ihts fin3f*i* slal•nv)N6 Is UPWtsFffj81è.
Bawd M lh• w￿k hov• porf0m￿￿, we h8v• nol Id￿￿fil￿ #ry mJlerlal ￿￿ert￿trI1tJ fdatlng lo events e
￿￿¢￿11)n5 Ihat, Indrviduaty or collechvèly. may casl ￿gnifI￿oI doubl on tlKt th￿tY.& atxlity lo ¢onllnuo aG a g￿n9
cori¢oin loi 4 pellod ol 8116881 I￿[¥8 monV)8 liL¥n when Iho Iintynclal st8lemenl$ ¥te ¥thI￿$e￿ fry lsiuo
Our r•spon51L4fvlles¥￿1 lh•reSp￿11￿o9S ollh• Tn￿¢¢￿$ wth lo wJin9corK•in8r•dos¢rtbod inthe rolèv8ni
80cIK)n$ ol Ihls ieport
Othor Infommtlon
Tho olhor InlcrfmaiKM coTrrAisès Ihe Inlorrnwim Induded ￿ Ihe annuul le￿1¢ olhet lI￿n Ihe financial slule¢nen18 and
IXJI a￿lE0￿￿￿epOrt lI￿ret￿ The Twsleej ale respth*blo lor Iho olh¢r 1nltym8lion contalned wllhln Ihe onnual report.
Our ol￿nI￿ on IIR fiMTrcial 114ieffltnls does n¢X ¢ovei Ihe othef inlomab.tsn ond. excopl lo èxtoni othetyAso
0xpl￿1￿ Ilaiad In Qui re&ttxI, ￿ do not OXJYO8S any lorm ol J5surarw wn¢lu*M th￿0(1). Our resp)nwbllily 13 10
lead the Olhei iiifoirnalH)n and. wi (kywJ 80. conBKler whelher I1￿ olhef in10rmol￿ 1$ mo1o1idty liKon$4slvnl ￿111 tho
rIn&n¢1￿ $lol¢monlg. (w ow knoW,¢¢Jgo obtolnod In lh• ¢otsrso ol Ilie al￿11. or 19 be Materf￿lY
ml$slaied. 11 wo klenlify I￿h maier+* I￿On￿$t￿n￿O3 or *pparoTrl mated81 mi$slalemon16, wo ar• r•oulr•d lo
dolomiino wli8llier tl¥s gvas lis• lo a malerial mi6siatèmoiii In Iho Tinan¢ig1 slAi8menl$ Ihem¥elve8 11. bo$ed on the
work we have perfo¥me¢l, we mndude V78t Ihefels o m8tell￿ mi5s1alomonl of INS other Snfomioiion, wo aio roquifed
to thai laci.
We hBve [￿hIng lo reix¥l In thls regard
Qplnlo#s on Ollior mallorn prv¥¢rfbod by lh• Companles A¢1 2006
In Lwr oplnion. based on the ¥￿(k undertoken in ihe coul* ol ow
Iho Infomiallon glvtn In tho TN3toos' r¢M, Ir￿ud08 Iho dfeclofs. Itpowl wtspaied loi Ihts purposos of
COrnP8ny1ow, lor Ihe fu￿￿&#1￿#r lorthth financiBI stslernonls Jre prcpared 1$ COnSislenl Iho finonciar
81al•mont1. and
Iho (&re¢iois' rewt includod wlhin Tntslo•s' worth has boen pMpAr￿ In ￿¢￿d8rth vfith aptAlcoble Ipgal
requiiemenls

SOLAS
INDEPENDENT AUOITOR'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOLAS
Matlorn whleh wo roqulrod io i•POrt by 0xcop1l￿.
In Ilio Iwhl ol Iho krxhylodotr aim1 undorElaThJitw ollhD thaily ond its oThiMmenl obla¥￿￿ In 1￿C{l￿• ol I￿ alldil,
WO havts Ibtsl Klonlil￿j malLYl*l mlxslaitinenls iii Il* difedori. iopul iodvthdwilh&) tho Ir1151ec5' repJl
h•ve nolhlng lo ioporlln MipKlolthe moUw• kn rdalODn lh¢ 2(#X iryiilies us
lo rew)rl lo youll. In oui oplrdon
A¢JequHltr a¢tounllng iecwds haw nol t￿k￿p1. ot iotumi oui hovo nol b¢¢n recei¥0
￿AndleS nol by tss."
Ihe flnavcl81 slalthnwilB ai8 nol 10 a9r••Miil wilh Iho a¢o)unltw let￿d5 aThJ 1•t￿Mi..
tlytoin disrkniiios ol TiiMlep.s' ieiniineiHIK)n l>y law lilo not mtsdo. (
we nol rc(%￿e￿ oll It￿ nnd oxpLinHIw5 %w. oui ou¢rt;
Ili¢ Diled￿$ were onliilLYl lo pi¢pNo Ihts 81alLyi￿lI11 ￿ Kcordftru wlli Iho smttl coDipunWTrs'
cglmo ond lako a4fvJnlogo of Ihe SMAII cÉMnpDr¥e>' extmplions in WQP•llltbP tho Tiutslo¢s' ioFK)rl thnd liom
Iho ioqulromenl lo propar• ts ilrAletyc iepwl
R•spoii•lbllltlM ol th9 Tru•￿
A5 pyplalntrd iiiorg ILdky ID fv sial¢nient ol 11ts110o1' r•sponsibMilh)s. tho Twslets ¥o¥espongt4e loi Ihe prewr•ll¢)n
01 Iho fkniiiidal SIal￿Tion[S ar¥J boity sallsliod Ilhii Ihoy 9lVO a two a￿j vw. Jnd lor such int•mal ctMlfol aE
Iho Tiiislttos Ilolorrytho 1$ Mutssaiy lo Iho propJiJbon of flnarK￿l siJitsmeNs Ihai Jio Irom maienal
¥sIRlotrtonl. w1*711wr duo lo Ir41￿j (N wity. In propatii)ts Iho finaiKiJl slaltsmonls. Trnbsi¢os iiio rosrknikwo for
Jgoyyoo Ilio chtsiily's ntmlily lo conlinuo 81 a gO￿g cA>nE￿n. dkchJskng. as ow11t￿bkI. mallois iolalthl lo goino
Iising Ihtsy(Ario concoin bnJls ol actounbng urjloss Iho littsloos ollhor hllond to I￿￿al0 tho ¢h8rtstdo
eunNrty ¢4 lo censc OPESiili¢ns. w hhvo no iooliiik thlwiii?Iwo lo do so.
Audliorf• ro•pon*lblllll¢s lorlh• *iidli ol lh• fln•ficl•l
Our oblociives ar• lo oblairn ¢easonable a55uranc• obwl ¥vlielhw Ihj (In4m81 sloloiNJii13 05 0 WI￿10 IIEO Iioii)
malofiJl missiJlomonl. whelher dut io liaud or and lo lis￿ 8n iuddO¢'S lo￿￿ Ihai Indudoi w oplfiksn.
R•4isonilblo #MiJri1nci) IS h￿h ￿Ve1 olasMMhnc• biit15 nol 8 gUAianteD Ihal an audilcondueiltd In aecNtlanco wilh
15hs IUKI will a￿ayS (Ivlor.141 miilerii?I Iiiis61JlfftDwnl wlwii il gxlsls. klisslal&moii15 c*1 ariso fla1￿ oroiior and
aro consklorod niL?lariiil Il Iimliwduilly or iii lh8 •9urpo3lo. Iliey COL4d reasonably bo trxpociod io IDnu•nc• the
Qa)IKxnlc doosloDs vl liikuTr oli t1￿ basis ol I1￿$0 IIINTIKIAI &lalomeiils.
liroouloii110g. Ind￿di￿a fini￿. 1Mla￿e8 ol vthl)1Iw￿ Jnd towlblw)n5. Wv do$1gD woc*dwos In
h-Il¢k wl11 our rvsP9115ibi&b'os, oullineLI lo (kle¢l Illiilorial misslnlvmonls In I￿5[￿1 nl Iri¢oiiknril￿s, indudin
I[8￿1. Tho oxiont lo which oui protoduios oro capable ol deiceiino hr¢giiL1111Ics. Irithxliiw IfAiid 18 rtollll1(￿ b￿1
A lutlliÈr ¢Joscrlpiion ol our r&sp￿sItI￿￿os 13 ovalablé ￿ tho FinJ1￿1 RepoTrng CwrKil'¥ web¥rfe Jt Mlpj'll
vn¥w,Ilc.￿g.Uk1￿li¢￿I(Ksr01wjThSl￿I1Il1l. Thls loscriptw knms part of ow wditofs ￿p0
QKft
¢)kni Ji,.
Sirah Loiil•o Lynch Istnlor Slalulory Audltor
For on beh•ll of Ko•rney & Co
Cliariorod A¢¢ountsnl•
st&lulory Aiidltof
OonogDU IIou80
rknor
ga.102 t)onogaW Sirooi
B112GW
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the provisions in section 444 of the
Companie5 Act 2006 relating to small companies.

In conclusion, Solas has achieved a considerable amount over the past year, particularly in how
it continued to remain delivering services for children & young people with disabilities and their
families, over the COVID period. This was largely due to the collective efforts of staff, volunteers
and the board. It has continued to grow and establish itself as a professional hard workinE
charity, focused on delivering practical supports for children and young people with disabilities
/ additional needs and their families.
Declaration:
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustee's report.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees.
Signature:
Full Name:
F. M" coTf C
Position:
Date:

/ *1