# **South Angus Parents of Adults with Learning Disabilities** (SAPALD) ## Registered Charity SCO46702 Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 30[th] June 2024 **"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."** — Helen Keller ## Table of Contents - Overview - Mission Statement - Governance, Management and Leadership - Activities and Achievements - Financial Review - Risk Management - Future Plans **"It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."** — Mother Teresa Overview **Charity Name** : South Angus Parents of Adults with learning disabilities **Registered Charity No:** SCO46702 **Trustees:** Personal information will be redacted when uploaded to OSCR ## **Contact information:** The South Angus Parents of Adults with Learning Disabilities (SAPALD) is a dedicated organization committed to supporting families and individuals navigating the unique challenges associated with learning disabilities. Over the years, SAPALD has tirelessly worked to provide a platform for advocacy, resources, and community engagement. Their unwavering dedication has made a significant impact in promoting inclusivity and understanding within the community. The trustees of SAPALD play an essential role in guiding and overseeing the charity's mission and activities. Here's a general description of their roles and responsibilities: ## 1. Strategic Oversight: - Set the long-term vision and objectives for the charity, ensuring alignment with its mission to support adults with learning disabilities. - Make key decisions on the focus and direction of SAPALD's activities, such as the recent shift toward advocacy and lobbying. ## 2. Governance: - Ensure the charity operates within legal and regulatory frameworks, including compliance with OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator). - Maintain transparency and accountability in financial and operational matters. ## 3. Fundraising and Financial Management: - Oversee the financial health of the charity by monitoring budgets, approving expenditures, and exploring fundraising opportunities. - Help develop strategies for sustainable funding, particularly as SAPALD adapts to its evolving role. ## 4. Advocacy and Representation: - Represent SAPALD in external forums, such as local and national care service discussions, to advocate for the needs of adults with learning disabilities and their families. - Engage with stakeholders, including members, associates, local authorities, and other organizations, to build partnerships and support. 5. Support and Volunteer Engagement: - Work closely with the volunteer team to ensure the effective delivery of SAPALD’s initiatives. - Encourage active participation from members and associates to strengthen the charity's impact. **"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."** — Albert Einstein ## **Our purpose and mission.** _**‘We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals by supporting adults with learning and life-long disabilities to live independently, in an appropriate housing, with the correct health and social care the right to Our mission is to enrich lives and foster well-being. Through our efforts, we aim to build a supportive and vibrant community where everyone can thrive.’**_ ## **Governance and Leadership** This year saw a significant leadership transition, with stepping down as Chair and assuming the role. The trustees acknowledge the service and express their gratitude to for his dedicated service. The trustees would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to for his significant contributions and dedicated leadership over many years. His guidance and commitment have played a pivotal role in shaping the charity and ensuring its continued success. The entire team is deeply grateful for his service and wishes him the very best for the future. The trustees welcome as she leads the charity into its next phase. ## **Activities and Achievements** ## **Meetings and Decision making** The trustees held regular meetings in the Co-op community room to discuss the charity's future direction. These gatherings provided an opportunity for thoughtful discussion, including input from a local councillor, about how best to continue serving the community. After careful consideration, the trustees unanimously decided to reaffirm the charity's commitment to its core objectives, ensuring all activities remain aligned with its founding principles. Our charity created 2013, was rooted in these values, and it is important that we continue to champion them. As we are all aware, too many disabled people still have their ambitions, dreams and potential denied due to barriers imposed by society. These barriers are not caused by them or their impairments but by restrictions by authorities, ignorance and thoughtlessness. Real change is essential so that all disabled people are valued as equal citizens and can live their lives as independently as they wish. We must continue and carry on to work together, obviously due to Covid, over the last 5 years we haven't achieved as much as we would have hoped but, we need to rise out of the ashes and make ourselves heard to continue to achieve this. The Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 was passed by the Scottish Parliament 28[th] November 2012, received Royal Assent 10[th] January 2013, came into force April 2014. This SDS statutory Act aims for - flexibility, choice and control. It has 5 key principles - RESPECT; FAIRNESS; FREEDOM; SAFETY; INDEPENDENCE: encompassing, collaboration, dignity, involvement and participation. Additionally, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is an international human rights treaty adopted in 2006 which the UK agreed to follow on 2009. By adhering to CRPD, the UK commits to protecting and promoting the human rights of disabled people including eliminating disability discrimination, enabling disabled people to live independently in the community, ensuring an inclusive education system and protecting disabled people from exploitation, violence and abuse. ## **Financial Review** The **Receipts and Payments Accounts** are set out on the following pages. These accounts provide a detailed overview of the charity's financial transactions for the year ended 30th June 2024. They include all the money received (receipts) and all the money spent (payments) during the reporting period. This type of accounting is straightforward and helps to maintain transparency in financial management, ensuring that all funds are accounted for and used effectively to support the charity's mission. $#uth Angu Parnnt•ofAdukn *llh Learnlng D¥ficu￿1￿# RoG•lpls and paymErrt5 aecounts 5¢016702 OSCR 102J 8outh Par•nts olAdults whh L•xnlnp Dlbll¢ull•• Se047 Tywalxlhlty4Jf ￿￿19¢1 Tdlil AulhD￿lY $wknAn9w P•r•M•￿Ad￿kn LMrnlTr•DhMcuM 5CO417Q2 Aryu• P¥rDMBofAthJb¥AthL0￿InO DIN¢uhbD AIVENDIX 3 OSCR Indopond•nt examln•r'8 roport on the a¢counts thirtylorih• Tr•pon￿bird•S thl Iwrrnb olts IrNv¥tr￿ ISc<¥8r*YI ZCf6Aei •udlt cl Re9￿1¢￿ I￿1> Idl AC1)￿￿6 does k bs ry r•¥or4t41y to the •5 r*•j￿ urHlvr 44111 IGlrAthe or boLf APPEMDIX 3 Disclosure seGtion ly (x)Mp￿te rfthe eyAnyrnr noed$ to htthlb3ht mater￿4 prot4omi. y ltsm• that t •xwnln•r wl%h•B t ## **Reserves Policy** Our charity currently does not have a formal reserves policy. As a volunteer-led organisation with an income below £10,000, we focus our resources on delivering our mission and supporting our beneficiaries directly. Given our size and structure, our financial management practices prioritize maintaining flexibility and transparency in the use of funds, ensuring we can adapt to the needs of our community. ## **Risk Management** Best practices for risk management in SAPALD include: 1. Risk Identification: Proactively identify risks across all operational areas, including compliance, data security, and system performance. 2. Risk Assessment: Use tools like risk matrices to evaluate the likelihood and impact of each risk, prioritising those with the highest potential impact. 3. Mitigation Strategies: Develop clear plans to address risks, such as implementing robust controls, contingency plans, and regular audits. 4. Continuous Monitoring: Establish processes to track risks and the effectiveness of mitigation measures, ensuring timely updates and adjustments. 6. Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain open communication with stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for risk management initiatives. These practices help create a resilient and adaptive risk management framework for SAPALD. ## **Future Plans** For the upcoming year, here are SAPALD’s considerations: Here are some key considerations for your charity as you plan for the upcoming year: ## 1. Funding and Grants - Explore funding opportunities tailored to disability support, such as small grants for charities with limited income. - Build relationships with local businesses or larger charities for sponsorships or partnerships. ## 2. Advocacy and Awareness - Raise awareness about the challenges faced by parents of adults with disabilities, particularly in housing, health, and social care. - Collaborate with other organizations to amplify your voice and influence policy changes. - 3. Tailored Support Services - Offer workshops or support groups for parents to share experiences and gain practical advice. - Provide resources to help parents navigate housing options, healthcare systems, and social care services. ## 4. Community Engagement - Foster a sense of community among parents and caregivers through events, online forums, or local meetups. - Partner with local authorities to ensure SAPALD is included in their "Local Offer" of services. ## 5. Sustainability and Growth - Develop a strategic plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of your charity. - Invest in training for your team to stay updated on best practices in disability support. ## 6. Technology and Accessibility - Leverage technology to improve communication and service delivery, such as creating an accessible website or app. - Ensure all materials and events are inclusive and accessible to people with varying needs. **"Disability is not a brave struggle or courage in the face of adversity. Disability is an art. It's an ingenious way to live."** — Neil Marcus