Autonomie TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT st For the year ending 31 March 2024
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Contents Annual Report for the yearended March 31st 2024.--.. - Introduction from the Chair of our Management Committee........ ... Our Supporters.. ..... The Year in Overview.......-........... Achievements & Perforniance...... Statement of financial atttvtties for the year ended 31st March 2023............................ Income & Expenditure.................... Statement of comprehensive income....................-.-............ Contlnuing operations........-.-........................ . Historical Cost.................. Balance Sheet as 31" March 2024............... Reference & Administrative Details.............-........-... . . 3.1 Charity Name.....................-.-... 3.2 Nl Chartty Number......................................... 3.3 Registered Addres5................... 3.4 CharityTrustees as of 31st March 2024.................. 3.5 OtherCharityTrustees in theyearto 31" March 2024....-.-............ 3.6 Patron as of 31st March 2024...................... 3.7 Advisors....................... 3.8 Structure. Governance & Management.-............ 3.9 Objertives & Artivities Charitable Objects...-. .... Page 2 of 12
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Annual Report for the year ended March 31st 2024 The trustee5 of Autonomie are pleased to submit their report and accounts for the period l April 2023 to 31" March 2024. Introduction from the Chair of our Management Committee This year has seen some major change5forAutonomie with a new strotegic plan being developed to guide our work of the next 3 to 5 yeors ond a mojorrevamp of the SAIL projert (which resulted in very fovourablefeedbockfrom both the SAIL partiaponts ond their parents/carers). We hove experienced a number of signficant challenges during the year, and we have very reluctontly concluded that we will have discontinue our Family Voice Hub project due to a lock of ongoingfunding. However, we hove continued to deliver much needed servicesfor young people with o physical disability and/or mild to moderate learning difficulties and thefeedbt7ckfrom our porticip(7nts ond theirfamilies/corers indicates that they greatly value the service5 which we provide. This would not have been possible without the hord work of ouryoung people. staff. volunteers. funders ond supporters. My heartfeft thanks to everyone who is port of our Autonomie Familyfor everything they htjve done over the last year. ond we lookforward to continuing to work towards our V15ion where all young people with dist7bilities con have livesfull offvn, friendship and reol opportunitiesfor improving both their social live5 and independent-living Skills. Chairperson. Janice English Our Supporters We are indebted to a number of organisations who have supported us during the year and, in particular, the National Lottery Community Fund, Global's Make Some Noise initiative, Danske Bank and the 5t Jame5'5 Place Foundation who have provided invaluable financial support to Autonomie during the year. Make . COMMUNITY FUND ISE ST. JAMES'S PLACE Danske Bank FOUNDATION Page 3 of 12
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 The Year in Overview We started the year with a new Chair and Secretary of the Autonomie Management Committee following the elections held at our EGM held on 30 March 2023. We a150 carried a major revamp of the SAIL projett which resulted in very favourable feedback from l)oth the SAIL participant5 and their parents/carers. During the first part of the year, we developed a new strategic plan forAutonomie and this was approved and fomially adopted at Septemberfs Management Commtttee meeting. Figure I below provides an overview of the new strategic plan which we believe provides a solid platForm to allow us to provide services well into the future. Figure l - Overyiew of newstrotegic Plan During the year we experienced significant challenges in 3 key areas= Our main location {Lilac House) is no longer rrtfor purpose and changes in the surrounding area have caused problems for both our young people and Autonomie staff. Therefore, we have begun to look at options for relocation. We recognise that we need to take steps to strengthen the make-up of our Management Committee. We launched an exercise to target and recruit new members of the Management Committee. However, for a variety of reasons, this has proved unsuccessful to date and this exercise will continue into 2024-25. In common with many other charities at this time, securing ongoing funding has been a major issue in what is now an extremely challenging environment. We have reviewed a number of options and submitted formal applications to a number of potential funders. However. securing ongoingfunding remains our number one challenge going into the year 2024-25. Towards the end of the year 2023-24 we received notffication that our application to the National Lottery Community Fund for new funding for the Family Voice Hub had been unsuccessful. Therefore, we ended the year on 3 sad note as we had to make plans to close the project by the end of April 2024 as projert funding would run out bythis date. Page 4 of 12
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Achievements & Performance Despite the challenges we faced during the year, we remain convinced that there is still a compelling need forthe services which Autonomie provides. We continue to address an area of unmet need for young people with disabilitie5 and/or mild to moderate learning disabilities and their familieslcarers. During 2023-24 we continued to make a positive impact on the lives of ouryoung people and their parentslcarers, with Figure 2 below demonstrating some of the positNe impacts we made during the year via our 3 flagship projects. Figure 2- Our3 Flagship Projects s further funding for the SAIL (Social And Independent Living) was being applied for. we evaluated the content and relevance of the current project. A full overhaul was undertaken and with the help of the young people and other5 who had completed the project. areas of need were identified. and practical, interactive and fun sessions were developed to cover the following modules: Practical Daily LNing Skills Social & Lrfe Skills Developing self confidence and esteem Goal Setting and achievements Basic Cookery & fcth storage Using Money on a daily basis Personal Hygiene & Self presentation Developing Hobbies Looking after your mental health Coping and managing emotions & feelings. "Everything SAIL offers to my 50n has helped with hi5 confidence, independen and doy to day living." {Feedback from the parent of a SAIL participant) Freedom2Choose grew in numbers through the year. more emphasis was Biven to the young people 'choosing 'what activsties they wanted to do and for how long. This empowered the young people to make informed decisions about how they spent their time at the programme. (E • A high number of enjoyed physical actF¥ities e.g., obstacle courses, dodgeball and Bocca. These activities promoted team building and healthy competition, while also encouraging communication and socialization. WIsTts out to Crumlin Road Gaol during their Halloween progrdmme was a great success. the group met with Halloween charatters. petted some animals and also enjoyed Grving pumpkin5. Our Christmas Event was planned and organized by all 3 projects {SAIL, Freedom2Choose & Family Voice Hub) this was a family event where every member of the families attended, young people and their siblings met with Santa and received presents. Mums and Dads also received 'self-care' gifts. "For the help andsupport they giTve the young people, they always go the extra mile. Nothing 15 too much trouble. Freedom2Choose Soturdays ore alwuy5 looked forward to in ourhouse". (Feedback frorn parent of Freedom2Choose participant) Page 5 of 12
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 This year, F3milyVoice Hub has seen an increase in requests for support and advice in relation to SEN Assessment processes. In addition, a high number of their core group of parents 5eeklng advlce on Wills & Trusts, as they get older and are concerned about their sonldaughter after they are no longer here. Several rural families sought support from the Hub. and the staff travelled out to meet with them and sUPPOrt them with a variety of issues relating to their child or young person. They travelled to Coleraine, Ballnen3. Newry and Warrenpoint, as the families said they felt isolated as most seIceS were Belfast based. Family Voice Hub was an integral partner in the development. publishing and launch of Children & Young People Strategic Partnership Resource for parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities. They also represented Autonomie on the All PartyGroup on Disability within the Northern Ireland 5embty. Voiee Hub In totsl Family vol Hub worked with 170 families throughout this year. "Autonomie is the only organi50tion I know who see the wholefvmily as important and includes them into everyprogrumme ¢7ndevent. All of us love Autonomie events." {Feedbock from one of our parents) Page 6 of 12
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31st March 2023 Income & Expenditure Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 180,031 Total 2024 Total 2023 Lottery Grants FundraisinglDonations Capital Revenue Interest Total Resources Total Resources Expended Net Income/Net Movement in Funds Fund Balance Brought Forward Totsl Funds Carried Forward 180,031 5.465 201,976 3,620 5,465 25 205,621 178.508 Z7,113 24,211 51,324 180.031 169,918 10.113 49,781 59A94 185,496 171,227 14,269 51,324 65,593 1,309 4.156 1.543 5.699 Statement of comprehensive income There is no other comprehensive income to report for the financial year. Continuing operations The Statement of Financial Activities has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations. Historical Cost The results as disclosed in the statement of financial artivities and the net incoming resources for the year have been presented on an historical cost basis. Balance Sheet as 31X March 2024 Flxed assets 2024 2023 angible assets 937 1,200 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand reditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets otal assets less current liabllltles 883 64.473 700 64,656 65,593 50,124 50,124 51,324 Income funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds otal funds 59,894 5,699 65.593 49.781 1,543 51.324 Page 7 of IZ
AOnOmie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Reference & Administrative Details 3.1 Charity Name Autonomie 3.2 Nl Charity Number NIC100421 3.3 Registered Address Lilac House, 4 Sandhurst Road. Belfast, BT7 IPW 3.4 Charity Trustees as of 3tst March 2024 Mrs Janice English (Chair} Mr David Coates {Secretaryl Mrs Mary Bell Mr Paul Jeffer5 Mrs Naomi McAlee5e 3.5 Other Charity Trustees in the year to 31st March 2024 Mr Douglas Bartlett {Resigned 28 June 2023) 3.6 Patron as of 31st March 2024 Mr Oliverjeffers MBE 3.7 Advisors Banking Danske Bank Donegall Sq. Wesi Belfast BTI 6JS Markel (UK) Limited City Square House 11 Wellington Street Leeds LSI 4DL Insurance Page 8 of 12
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 3.8 Structure, Governan & Management Governlng Document & Constitution Autonomie is a company limited by guarantee, governed by its constitution which is available at www.autonomie.org.uk. It has been granted charitable status by The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under registration number NIC100421. Trustee Selertion & Monagement The trustees who are also the directors forthe purpose of company law and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were- Mrs Janice English (Chairl Mr David Coates (Secretary) Mrs Mary Bell Mr Paul Jeffers Mrs Naomi McAleese If appropriate. new trustees are invited onto the Board when the need arises. There are no specific requirements regarding skills or experience. However, the current trustees recognise the importance of a diverse and competent Board, and this will impact upon any nomination. Those who are invited will be involved with Autonomie and will be held in high regard for their work. New trustees receive appropriate induction procedures and training upon appointment. No trustees receive any remuneration for their services. Autonomie's work is govemed by a Management Committee which usually meets every other month to discuss financial and strategic issues, policy and procedure decisions, and to ratify significant legalty binding decisions. The Management Commtttee is made up of the chariws trustees plus the Chief Officer and a Finance Officer. All meetings of the Autonomie Management Committee are formally documented, with all points of agreement and actions recorded and signed- off by the Chair of the Management Committee. Miss Lynne Morrison, Autonomie's Chief Officer, is responsible for managing the day-tTrday running of the charity. 3.9 Objectives & Activities Charitable Objects Autonomie's overall objective is to provide prartical educational and personal development support to help young people with a physical disability andlor mild to moderate learning difficulties to reach their potential and lead fuller and more independent lives. We also seek to provide 5UPPOrt, guidance and a sense of community for their parents/carers and their families. The main challenges faced by our young people and their families can be summarised as follows: There is a lack of age appropriate facilities open to young people with a physical disability andlor mild to moderate learning difficulties in Northern Ireland. Autonomie aims to address a significant gap in service provision for young people who are lor are at risk ofl becoming socially isolated resulting in additional mental health issues and low self-value. Page 9 of 12
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Autonomie provides post educational provision to a number of communities and to families whose young people have limited option5 after leaving school. The project also helps these young people to develop social networks wrthin their own communities with peers. and with other young people who face similar challenges within their lives. Autonomie also seeks to deliver significant benefits to the parents and carers of its participants. Feedback from similar projects demonstrates that parents and carers have formed a community to provide help and support forfamilies with young people with additional needs. Parents and carers of participants in our projects partlClP3te in the Autonomie parents. forum through our Family Voice Hub project. This provides parents/carers with an input into the development and delivery of our projects and allows them to avail of help and support from other parents/carers. The needs of the young people who attend Autonomie change asthey get older. Increasingly, they want to have similar opportunities as their siblings have had as part of growing up. As these young people get older their disabilitie5 and metal wellbeing can deteriorate. and both the young people and their parents/carers can face additional challenges. Autonomie provides an environment for the young people to address these challenges alongside peers who are facing similar challenges. We provide essential support forthe parents/carers of the young people as many of the development skills they gain can be transferred to the home environment. This provides reassurance for parents as they can see their sonldaughter develop skills which will be useful when they move into supported/independent living arrangements. Public Benefft Statement The trustee5 of Autonomie confirm that they have complied with their duty as outlined in the Charities Att (Northern Ireland) 2008 las amended). We considerthat Autonomie has purposes which fall under a number of the 12 descriptions of purposes listed in the Charities Act, in particular: he advancement of education, a5 we provide life skills trainingto young people with a physical disability and/or a mild to moderate learning disability: The advancement of health or the saving of live< as we provide counselling service5 to our young people and their families: and The advancement of citizenship or community developmenv as we promote volunteering and the voluntary sector. Inclusiveness and equality were 2 of the key founding principles for the Autonomie. Therefore, participation in Autonomie projects is open to all sections of the community and we do not provide a private benefrt to individuals (unless thi5 benefit is incidental}. Summary of Main Attivitie5 The core activities of Autonomie during the year ending 31 March 2024 were delivering our 3 flagship projects: SAIL: Freedom2Choose; and The Family Voice Hub. Further detai15 on these projects can be found at section 1.3 above. Page 10 of 12
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Approved and adopted by the Management Committee on 4 February 2025 and signed on their behalf: Janice English Chair of the Autonomie Management Committee Page 11 of 12
Autonomie Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Contact us Autonomie. Lilac House 4 Sandhurst Road Bellasi BT7 IPW Northern Ireland l 028 9591 8051 r*Ho au1(.&¢Yrklll com auionorThe oig uk Autonomie f•+ REGULATOR Pairon: Olrrfer JeffeTS. Art{ & lllustyator .'24 Page 12 of 12