SOLAS
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees, report
Independent auditor's report
Stalement of financial aclivities
Balance sheet
Statement of cash flows
Notes to the financial stalemenls
10

SOLAS
TRUSTEES, REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.
Tlie financial statements have been prepared in aGGordance with the accounting policies set oul in note 1 to the financial
statements and coniply with the charity's governing documenl, the Companies Act 2006 and 'AcGounling and Reporting by
Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the
Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). (as amended for accounting periods
commencing from 1 January 20161.
Objeclives and activitles
The charity's objectives are to,.
Advance health and wellbeing. educalion and development, with particular reference lo those children with spe¢ial
needs currently falling outside the statutory provision:
Provide 'palhways' to services which vulnerable families may not normally be able to access.,
Support families who engage with Solas, and build a strong physical and practice infrastructure which will provide
consistent, quality care and support:
Ensure thal the voices of childrenlyoung people wilh mild to severe learning disabilities are heard and that their
voices shape and influence the development of government policies and mainstream services., Increase the visibility
of childrenlyoung people, their par8nlslcarers and siblings and ensuring their full participation in communlty life.,
Lobby and advocate for increased bespoke services for families Ihrough representation on all key committees,
steering groups and bodies with the potential to support our work;
Train highly skilled staff to promote our commitment to excellence, worf<ing wilh academic inslitulions, voluntary
agencies and statutory bodies to ensure that our practice and experience contributes to research and evaluations
which work towards improving practice-
Develop a team of dedicated volunteers who use their skillslexperience in schools, ensuring children are supported
to have an opbmum education experience.
Current services Include:
(1) Childcare l Youth & Respite Services (including Aflerschools l Resp'te Support, afternoons, evenings and
weekends, Saturday Clubs. Sibling Clubs. Youth clubs, Summer & holiday schemes. These interventions primarily
focus on ensuring that those with disabililies experience Ihe same opportunities for inclusion in the community as
other young people. They also facililate parents who need childcare, as well as parents who need respile support.
(2) Home Support & Therapeutic Services - providing Home Support, information and praclical support for parents of
children in the process of a diagnosis or. wilh a recent diagnosis; Parent Programs, Parent Advice. Providing
Therapeutic SerVi￿s for childrenlyoung people and their parentslcarers including play therapy, art therapy,
counselling and well-being aclivities for adult carers I parents as well as young carers. These inlervenlions primarily
focus on supporting children and young people with disabilities including autism. and their parents I carers, who feel
isolated, alone and are experiencing mental health issues.
(3) Early Years Programme - Supporting children and families through Play & Stay right up to Pre-school. solas is the
lead partner in the Special Education Needs. Belfast Wide Early Years IBWEY) Initiative, including the following
partners, Glenbrook Surestart, Kids Together Belfast, Easl Belfast Surestart and Solas. Our BWEY Seedlings 2-3
year old development program and our BWEY Sunflowers 34 year old programme for children wilh disabilities,
supports 30 children each year. In Sept 2023, we were invited by the DE lo deliver a SEN pre-school provision for
children with disabilities and with a Statement of Educational Need in place.

SOLAS
TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
{4) Educalional Progiammes-. Programmes targeting children with mild additsonal needs and not achieving theii full
learnirsg potential (Back on Track Program), as well as Educational Workshops
(5} Young Adulls Programme SONA - for young adults transitioning I leaving Special School - a day seNiGe, that
provides opportunities for develop life skills. offer wellbeing and social opportunities and a safe supported space for
young people with disabilities to be with their peers.
The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are.
Enhance the physical infrastructure of the organisation ensuring that facilities are fit for purpose and designed to
best meet the complex needs of many of the Servi￿ users supported. In the past year we have developed a new
programme SONA, and hired a new space at the YMCA site in Slranmillis, which we developed for young adults
transitioning from Special School. This programme supports young people with life skills. cookery, independence
skills, healthy ealing and wellbeing, exercise. social skills. trips. etc
2. Consolidate and slrengthen the organisation's services, expand the capacity of solas to deliver vital programmes to
children, young people and their families, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organisalion through
creating a business model which is robust and reduces their current dependency upon grant funding.
3. Work collaboralively with a diverse range of organisations, all of which contribute to the delivery of effective
services, primarily to benefit children and young people with additional needs across Belfast. In particular, Solas
works with 3 key partnerships. South Belfast Sureslart (through the Early Years and Urban Village A Place STEP
programme; and the Belfast Wide Early Years (BWEYI partnership led by solas. We also collaborate on youth
programmes with Kids Together. a similar disability setvice organisation to solas operating in Wesl Belfast.
4. Promote excellence in their practice - solas works closely with all Belfast based Universities and Teacher Training
Colleges. séias currently offers placement opportunities to students from QUB, Stranmillis, St Marys & UUJ
studying a number of degree programmes (including health & social care, psychology, education, masters in
autism, and masters in atypical child development). Many of the students who come to solas on placement are
retained as staff memberslvolunteers.
5. Tackle disadvantages experienced by children and young people with moderate to severe learning needs who
experience an acute lack of choice or oplions throughout their lives when trying to aC￿sS appropriate seNices',
through delivery of early years and daycare services, afterschool provision. youth services and educational support.
6. Grow organically and continue to develop a diverse range of programmes. projects and activities which meet the
needs of the whole family; the group currently deliver their servi￿S across 8 settings, the majority of which are
located in areas of greatest disadvantage.
7. Generate income through Social Enterprise activits'es delivered through access to Self- Directed Support Packages.
Self- Directed support is the provision of tailored individual support packages for children and young people with
severe learning difficulties and disabilities Children and young people in this category are eligible to access direct
payments from the Belfast Healih and Social Care Trust and can use it to buy in the support they feel is most
needed to improve their quality of life and provides benefit to them personally. solas provides self-direcled support
services and also offers administrative support to families to aC￿sS Ihe scheme.

SOLAS
TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
8. Childcare l Youth and Respile Services - these Se￿ICe$ focuses upon children aged 5 to 18 years old and as per
core mission, targets those children with the most complex and challenging needs. It provides a valuable childcare
service for working parents, and respite for those parents who desperately need support. These services are
tailored and based Lipon the needs of each individual child l young person with suitable staffing support in place as
per organisational policies and experience.
g. Engage with Parenlslcarers to enhance services-. solas engages with parents and carers on a daily basis in
relation to Ihe needs of both their children and themselves. The feedback and information they provide is vital to the
ongoing success of the organisation. Paienlslcarers inform the development and enhancement of core
programmes and activities. Parentslcarers readily support evaluations. research and frequently represent the
needs of th8ir child{ren)lorganisalion to funders. politicians and statutory aulhorities.
10. Engage with Staff - Engagement with our slaff team is critical. The feedback and input they make lo ensure delivery
of high-quality service and piovision is vital to the day to day running of the organisation.
11. Engage the Local CommunitylBusinesses to provide support to the organisation: this helps us create an extended
welcoming and safe environment for the childrentyoung people and parentslcarers who use our facilities.
12. Community Organisations - solas works extensively and engages wth a diverse range of communily organisations.
We are part of the Ulidia Campus Plans. which includes solas, Rosario Football Club as well as Scoil an Droichid
(primary school moving to the newly refurbished Ulidia School site adjoining Solas and the Ulidia Playing Fields).
The campus partners have been working together for several years to deliver services to the community and to
maximise the use of the community resources that we collectively hold.
13. We also work closely with Forward South Partnership and South Belfast Surestart, with whom we have service
delivery partnerships. In addition we hire rooms from, YMCA, Mornington, Rosario Youth Club, Village Church
Haypark and Scoil an Droichid to support the delivery of some of our community ser¥ices.
14. Local Schools - solas and local schools engage on a daily basis in the best interests of the childrenlyoung people
attending the organisation. Their services are inlerdependent and necessary to create the best possible
development and educational opportunities for the children who allend their facilities. Schools understand the
challenges of providing safe and consistent care for children who need stability in order to thrive. Schools support
and understand the need for this project.
15. Belfast Trust and DE - solas has engaged from the outset wrth key statutory agencies in developing the services
which are so important to so many families. Positive engagemenl is essential lo the ongoing and continued work of
solas. The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charily Commission in deciding what activities
the Charity should undertake.

TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Achievements and performance
Solas has experienced another year of gr0￿h. responding to the increasing demand for care I respite, educational support,
developmental programmes, therapeutic services and home support. across Belfasl and further afield. The establishment of
our young adults transition programme, SONA, has been further developed in Ihe year. and is supporting a growing number
of young people coming through from children's services. Many of these young people have experienced our children's
services and are now at the point of leaving special school and need a bespoke support pro9ramme. SONA endeavours lo
help young adults to reach their full potential, by encouraging new skills and further developing existing skills in a holislic and
individual way. It includes independent living skills, such as cookery, self-care, laundry, money management etc. It also
promotes health & wellbeing, such as physical exercise, healthy eating, art therapy, yoga, mindfulness, and offers all
participants social opportunities to enjoy a Tange of leisure and recrealions, such as bowling, swimming, day trips etc with
peers.
Contracts with the BHSCT demonstrate the growing confidence that the Disability Services al the trusl place on services
offered al solas. Cash balances have improved, nel assets have been maintained and the charity is able to maintain a
healthy operating surplus. solas received a significant b¢￿st in the year with securing £250,000 from the Goodman
Foundation towards the new £2.5m building development project. A further £250,000 from Goodman FoLJndalion has been
guaranteed once the construction starts.
Financial Review
The results for the year are set out on Ihe Statement of Financial Aclivities. The Trustees consider the financial results
satisfactory.
S61as has a risk management policy in place under which risks are identified and reviewed by management on a regular
basis. Procedures are in pla￿ to manage the risks.
It is the policy of the chsrily Ihal unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at
a level equivalent to between three- and six-monlh's expendilure. The Trustees consider thal reserves al this level will ensure
that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration
is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained Ihroughout the year.
The Trustees have assessed Ihe major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to
mitigate exposure to the major risks.

TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Structure, governance and management
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and is registered as a charity with The Charity Commission for Northern
Ireland. The Company was established under a Memorandum of Association and Is governed by its Articles of Association.
The Trustees. who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date
of signature of the financial statements were:
Fionnguala McCotler- Director Chair
Tom Doran (resigned 24th Jan. 2024)
Emily Gallagher
Caitfiona Nic Sheain
Lorraine McErlain appointed 71h November 2024
Elaine Holmes
Ross Reid resigned 141h Dec 2024
steven Egan appointed 7. November 2024
Mairead Mccartan
Jean McGann
Joanne Mercer
None of the Trustees have any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and
guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The directors of the company are also charity Trustees for the purposes of Charity Law. Under Ihe requirements of the
Memorandum and Articles of Association directors are elecled at an Annual General Meeting by the members (in person, or
through an authorised represenlative or by proxy).
All new directors receive in-house induction and training appropriate to their roles.
solas has a Management Committee, made up of Trustees. The Commiltee meels regularly and are responsible for the
strategic direction and policy of the charity. The day-to-day responsibility for the provision of the services rests with the
manager and the senior management leam.
AudStor
The Board of solas approved appointment of Keamey & Co as their auditor for the year.
The Trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Fionnguala Mccotter
Trustee
Dated..

SOLAS
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
statement of Trustees. Responslblllties
The Trustees, who are also the dirèclors of Solas for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the
Trustees. Report and the financial statements in accordance wilh applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting
Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law require5 the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair
view of the slate of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including tlie
income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistenlly.,
obSe￿e the methods and principles in the Chaiities SORP.
make judgements and estimates that a￿ reasonable and prudent,. and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
charity will continue in operats'on.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disdose with reasonable accuracy at
any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply wilh the
Companies Act 20Q6. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Audllor
Each of the persons who is a Trustee al the date of approval of this report confirms that.,
so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor Is unaware,. and
they have taken 811 relevant sleps that they ought lo have taken as Iruslee to make themselves aware of any
relevant audit information and to eslablish that the charity's audilor is aware of that information.
Small company provlslons
This report has been prepared in accordanGe with Ihe provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small
companies, exemption.

SOLAS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOLAS
Oplnlon
We have audited the financial statements of Solas (the 'charily') for the year ended 30 June 2024 which comprise
the slalement of financial activities, the balance sheet. and the notes lo the Iinancial statements, including
significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is
applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Slai?dard
applicable in Ihe UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, Ihe financial statements..
give a true and fair view of the slate of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 June 2024 and of its incoming
resources and application of resources, for the year then ended.
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice,.
and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acl 2006.
Basls for oplnlon
We conducted our 8udit in accordance wilh International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAS {UK)) and applicable law.
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Audilorfs responsibilities for Ihe audil or the
financial slatemenls section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical
Tequirements Ihat are relevant to our audit of the financial slalements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard,
and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe Ihat the
audil evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate lo provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relatlng to golng concern.
In auditing the financial slalements, we have concluded that the Truslees, use of the going concern basis of
accounting in the preparation of the financial slalements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relatin9 lo events or
conditions that, individually or collectively. may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability lo continue as a going
concern for a period of al least twelve months from when the financial statements are aulhorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respe¢i to going concern are described in Ihe relevant
sections of this report.
Other Informatlon
The olher information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and
our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible forthe other information contained within the annual report.
Our opinion on the financial statements does nol cover the other information and, ex￿pt to the extent othe￿ise
explicilly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to
read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other infomialion is materially inconsistent with the
financial statements, or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appeafs to be malerially
misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to
determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial slatemenls themselves. If, based on the
work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required
to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in Ihis regard.
Opinions on other matters prescrlbed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit=
the information given in the Trustees. reporl, which includes Ihe direclois, r8POrt prepared for the purposes of
company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial
statements., and
the directors, report included within the Trustees. report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal
requirements.