Budd Bear Trust
ri
abl
DIRECTORS, REPORT for the
ear ended 31 Au
ust 2022
The Directors, who are the trustees for the purpose of charity law, have pleasure in presenting
their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charitable company for the year
ended 31 August 2022.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wlth the Statement of
Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (FRS 102) and the Companies
Act 2006.
Reference and Administration Detalls
The reference and administration details of the charitable company are as shown on page 2.
Objectives and Actlvltles
The principal activity of the charltable company Is to relleve slckness of chlldren suffering from
cerebral palsyi spina bifida and other motor neurone disorders.
The main strategic objectlves of the Trust are:
To provlde conductlve educatlon for chlldren who suffer from cerebral palsy and other
motor dlsorders.
To become a "malnstream" part of educatlon and therapy for chlldren sufferlng from
cerebral palsy in Northern Ireland and to see greater integration of the exlstlng servlces of
health and educatlon for such chlldren.
The key aims of Buddy Bear Trust are to allow young people to benefit from this life chang5ng
therapy and develop thelr own optlmum level of Independence.
Publlc Beneflt Statement
The Dlrectors of Buddy Bear Trust conflrm that they have complled wlth thelr duty under
section 4(6) of the Charltles Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to have regard to the Charlty
Commlsslon for Northern Ireland's guldance on public beneflt and that the publlc benefit
requSrement has Informed the activltles of the charltable company In the year ended 31 August
2022.
Achlevements and Performance
Children with Cerebral Palsy at the Buddy Bear Trust Conductlve Education School ("Buddy Bear
School") benefited from a team lead by the prlnclpal and three other Peto trained Conductors,
all of whom are reglstered wlth the General Teaching Council of Northern Ireland as well as two
experienced Classroom Asslstants and a part-tlme Secretary. The Buddy Bear School was able
to offer places to 26 chlldren in one of four maln groups belng:
Parent and Child Group (Pre-Nursery);
Nursery Group;
School Group I; and
School Group 2.
CavanaghKellyr Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
Page13

Budd Bear Trust
ritabl
an
Limit d b
uarantee
DIRECTORS. REPORT for the
ear ended 31 Au
ust 2022
Continued
Children at the Buddy Bear School made great progress under the guidance of the
Conductorsffeachers. Each child made visible progress throughout the year which pleased and
motivated their parents to request more conductive education within the school. Children new
to the school began the first stages of walkingi while others used the mounted wall bars in
classrooms to pull themselves into a standing position and show new levels of mobility, all of
which brought positive feedback from parents, One parent shared a quote wlth us "We are so
grateful that our chlld attends Buddy Bear. Even with the pandemic the care, teaching
sessions, progress and support he has received from the Buddy Bear team has been Incredlble.
It has been amazing to see progress so much In such a short space of tlme and has filled us all
wlth such hope and joy for the future.
The school contlnued enhanced covld-19 protectlon processes to ensure a safe envlronment
wlthln the school for the parents and chlldren. The processes Included:
Staggered arrival/entrance times for parents and chlldren
Temperature checks for all parents, chSldren and staff on entrance
Slgn In book for contact detalls
PPE Equipment worn by all staff throughout the day
Sanitlslng statlons In every classroom, kltchen, bathrooms
During the year, the school continued to receive various grants and financial support including
furlough grants to ald the furlough of teachers and conductors where necessary.
At the date of these flnanclal statements, the processes stated are still Sn place with Ilmlted
access to the school only for conductors/teachers, parents and chlldren.
Durlng the year the Buddy Bear Trust held a launch event for Its five year 'Llfetlme of
Dlfference, project. The project includes plans to provide satellite sessions in both Belfast and
Derryi thereby offerlng three locations and Sncreasing accessibillty for chlldren rlght across
Northern Ireland. The project Is belng funded for the next flve years from the National Lottery
Community Fund and the Mcclay Foundation. These vital funds serves as a platform but stlll
leaves a shortfall for the optimum running costs of the school whlch we need to supplement
wlth government fundlng and ongolng fund ralslng.
The Buddy Bear Trust continues to rely heavily on volunteers to assist in the day to day
operatlonal runnlng of the charity. Such volunteers are invaluable, and the charity contlnues to
be grateful for thelr contlnued Input, The volunteers do not receive any remuneration; however,
the charity will cover any costs of travel and expenses in order to ensure no volunteers are out
of pocket for the costs they incur. Good volunteers are the backbone of any charity and we
appreclate thelr tlme and effort.
CavanaghKellyi Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
Page14

Budd Bear Trust
harit bl
nt
DIRECTORS, REPORT for the
ear ended 31 Au
ust 2022
Continued
Inde
endent School Ins
ection
The school last had an inspection by the Education Training Inspectorate In December 2020
with the focus on:
The learners, achievements and standards in literacy and numeracyi
Whether the accommodation Is suitable and meets health and safety standards.
The Implementatlon of procedures for safeguardlng and pastoral care.
The quality of leadership and management
The full inspection was carrled out with findings and concluslons documented wlthln an official
report of inspection. DE Ref No. IS59 to which key flndlngs have been noted below.
Outcomes
or
The puplls all have complex physical dlfflcultles arising from medlcal condltions, despite these,
they make steady progress in their physlcal, educational, communlcatlon and play skills targets.
A small number of parents and famlly members shared with the Inspectors their highly posltlve
experiences of the school. They reported that thelr chlldren are safe and very happy and
appreclate the ongolng support they recelve from staff to Increase thelr skllls Sn helplng thelr
chlldren.
It was also reported that the puplls are very well settled and enjoy thelr routlnes and actlvltles
Sn school and Interact well with staff and vlsltors.
uali
of Provl lo
It was Stated, the learnlng envlronment 15 hlghly Incluslve and nurturlng wlth chlld-centred,
well-maintained, and very purposeful learning resources, Including a well-equipped sensory
room and outdoor play space.
The conductors/teachers' plan learnlng for each Indlvldual pupll. It Is thorough, comprehensive,
and purp05eful, and Is monltored, revlewed and evaluated regularly through corroboratSve staff
meetings.
Furthermore, the resources used are well-planned, Imaginative and Ilnked closely to themes
and to the pupll's Indlvldual Interests.
The school is reported as Incluslve and has a highly posltlve ethos, addressln9 the educational,
physlcal and health and well-belng needs of the puplls.
The learning envlronment is highly incluslve and nurturing with chlld-centred, well-maintained,
and very purposeful learnlng resources, Includlng a well-equlpped Sensory Room and safe
poured rubber outdoor play space.
dershi
and
The teachlng Prlncipal and staff are hlghly skilled and apply conslstent high standards of
provision appropriate for the complex and wide range of learnlng and physical needs of the
pupils.
They continually self-evaluate and assess the progress made by the pupils as well as identifying
and sustaining areas of improvement across the school.
It was also reported that the board of trustees are highly committed to and support all aspects
of the school. They meet regularly and are very well informed about safeguarding and the
overall life and work of the school.
CavanaghKellyi Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
Pagc15

Budd Bear Trust
haritabl
om
Limit d b
uarant
DIRECTORS. REPORT for the
ear ended 31 Au
ust 2022
Continued
Inde
endent School Ins
ection
Continu
Safe
uardin
It was reported at the time of the inspection, the arrangements for safeguarding learners, take
account of and reflect, the guidance from the Department of Education.
It was concluded in the Inspection from the ETI that Buddy Bear Trust Conductlve Independent
School provides efficient and suitable instruction for the learners and that the school Is to
contlnue to be reglstered by the Department of Educatlon to provlde education.
Hi
hPr
it
The Dlrectors encouraged the Polltlcal Leaders and Senlor EA oflicials to visit the Independent
special school to understand why early interventlon Is Important In the life of a child with
cerebral palsy and the Impact It can have on the parents and extended family.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Doug Beatie and Colum Eastwood were among the polltlclans and
counclllors to vlslt the school In the year.
We valued the vlslts as the Polltlclans could speak wlth authority about the beneflts of the
school.
The vlslts also relnforced the parents and let them know that thelr chlld was valuable.
er
om the
aln Polltlcal Partle
The Buddy Bear Trust contlnued to recelve letters of support from polltlcal partles and a Jolnt
Letter signed by the Political leaders of the 5 main parties, showing their continued support to
Buddy Bear Trust.
Along with previous letters received from all politlcal party leaders, Including Michelle O'Neill
(Vice Presldent of Slnn Féln) and Robln Swann MLA (Health Mlnlster for Northern Ireland), it is
clear to see the continued support for the work and care carried out by Buddy Bear Trust.
We are actively trying to secure a meetlng wlth the Secretary of State, the Minister of Education
and the Permanent Secretary of Northern Ireland to meet wlth the Trustees to dlscuss funding
arrangements and how the parents of chlldren attending the school should be asslsted.
in
Complete converting outdoor former toilet block into storage for blkes and mobility toys
Palnt decklng area
ms
or Next Year
Convert a Classroom (upstairs) to a tollet and changing bench and area
Convert other half of Classroom into a storage area
Make a promotional vldeo
Address Council about benefits of Buddy Bear Trust
Provide lift to access first floor
Employ two more Conductors as to meet needs of school and children
CavanaghKellyi Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
Page16

Budd Bear Trust
om
Limit d b Guar
nt
DIRECTORS, REPORT for the
ear ended 31 Au
ust 2022
Continued
Financial Review
Financial Performance
The charity earned net Incoming resources of £80,552 (2021
outgoing resources of £80,652)
in the year to 31 August 2022 and at the year end the total funds of the charity amounted to
£255,759 (2021 £175,207) comprising unrestrirted funds of £149,859 (2021 £66,540),
restrlcted funds of £5,900 (2021 £8,667) and a deslgnated reserve fund of £IOO,000 (2021
£ioo,000).
Prlnclpal sources of funding and how thls has supported the key objectlves of the charitable
company are disclosed In the notes to the financial statements.
Reserves Policy
The Buddy Bear Trust have a formal reserves pollcy and the trustees belleve there are sufficlent
funds to meet the needs of the charity for the medium term. As the charity is heavily reliant on
donations and fundlng from public bodles, the board belleve It Is Imperatlve to hold a slgnlflcant
level of reserves so that the charlty can continue to operate should there be any unexpected fall
in incoming resources.
structure, Governance and Management
Organisational Structure
The charitable company Is a company limited by guarantee, not havlng a share capital.
The charltable company was establlshed under a Memorandum of Assoclatlon whlch establlshed
the objects and powers of the charitable company and Is governed under St5 Articles of
Assoclatlon.
In accordance wlth the Artlcles of Assoclatlon, the members to retlre by rotatlon shall be those
who have been longest in office since their last election, and the relevant motion will be put at
the Annual General Meetlng. A retlrlng member shall be ellglble for re-electlon.
Directors
The Dlrectors durlng the year are the same a5 the Dlrectors as115ted on page 2.
Taxatlon Status
The charitable company is recognlsed as a charity by HM Revenue & Customs. Accordlngly, the
charitable company has avalled of the exemptlons contalned In Chapter 3 Part 11 Corporatlon
Taxes Act 2010 and Sectlon 256 Taxatlon of Chargeable Galns Act 1992.
Directors, Responslbllltles
The Directors are responsible for preparlng the financlal statements In accordance wlth
applicable law and United Kingdom Accountlng Standards (United Klngdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practlce).
Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year
which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charltable company and of the
Incoming resources and appllcatlon of resources, Includlng the income and expendlture, of the
charitable company for that year. In preparing these flnanclal statements the Dlrectors are
required to;
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any
material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
CavanaghKellyR Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
Page17

Budd Bear Trust
Limit d b Guarantee
DIRECTORS, REPORT for the
ear ended 31 Au
ust 2022
Continued
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable
them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Small Companies Exemption
The above report has been prepared In accordance wlth the special provisions relating to small
companles wlthln Part 15 of the Companles Act 2006.
This report was approved by the Board of Dlrettors on 12 May 2023 and signed on its behalf
by:
Reglstered offlce:
Peto Centre
Killyman Road
Dungannon
Co. Tyrone
BT71 6DE
Brendan Mcconville
DIREcfoR
ra
ionN
er: N1022
li
CavanaghKellyi Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
Page18