Scio Supporting Children in Learning for Life
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 30th April 2025 For
SCILL - Supporting Children in Learning for Life (SCIO) Registered Scottish Charity No: SC048188
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Current Trustees:
Chairperson from 19" February 2025 Treasurer since February 2020 (previously trustee) Trustee since April 2019 Trustee since 18'" December 2018 Trustee since 6 January 2026
Contact Address:
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Recruitment and appointment of trustees At each AGM, any member may be appointed or reappointed to be a charity trustee. In addition, the board may at any time appoint any member to be a trustee.
Governing document
SCILL - Supporting Children in Learning for Life (SCIO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, the purposes and administration arrangements of which are set out in the constitution.
Timing of AGM
The last AGM of SCILL - Supporting Children in Learning for Life (SCIO), was held on 19" February 2025 as a hybrid meeting, to allow trustees and members the option of attending either in person or online. In line with The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, this AGM of SCILL (SCIO) would normally be held within 15 months of the last AGM and will again be held as a hybrid meeting on Wednesday, 21% January 2025.
The business of each AGM shall include a report by the chair on the activities of the organisation, the consideration of the accounts and the election/re-election of trustees.
Charitable purposes
Working throughout Aberdeenshire the group aims to advance the education and promote the welfare of children with specific difficulties in accessing learning e.g. autistic spectrum disorders, dyslexia, DCD or dyspraxia and to assist in relieving the needs of these children and their associated families by:
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e Bringing together parents / guardians of such children.
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e Supporting parents / guardians as they seek to help their children achieve the best possible educational, social and personal outcomes.
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e Providing opportunities for all those with a personal or professional interest to share knowledge, information and experience in this field.
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e Promoting an understanding and awareness in the community of these difficulties.
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Activity
SCILL (SCIO) manage an electronic mailing list which currently has 256 members. When events are run, we check with attendees that they are happy to be emailed about future events and if so, they are added to the mailing list. People have the option to opt out of the email list at any time.
Awareness of events is raised through social media, with our Facebook page having 1200 followers. As well as via our email communication, events are advertised on social media, providing options for people to reserve a place.
Children’s Activities
In May, SCILL participated in the GIRFEC (Getting it right for every child) conference, Empowering Partnerships and Relationships: navigating GIRFEC in Aberdeenshire, held at Woodhill House in Aberdeen. This event provided valuable networking opportunities to strengthen connections with other third-sector organisations and engage in a series of workshops, supporting our commitment to collaborative working and continuous improvement in services for children and families.
“Meet the Owls” with Bob’s Buddies was the first of several animal activities that we ran this year. Taking place in May, in the Banchory guide hut, 13 children and their families loved meeting the wonderful owls and learning all about them. Bob’s Buddies shared their extensive knowledge and engaging stories about their birds, creating an informative and memorable experience. The children and families embraced the opportunity to wear a handling glove, hold some of the smaller owls and capture photographs.
At the end of May, we had a wonderful visit to Farm Stop. There were multiple animals to meet and a chance to hold and stroke baby animals. 10 children and their families took part in this visit. Which included a tour of the farm anda visit to the pond to see ducks and geese. In the barn, the families met chicks, chickens, guinea pigs and rabbits which they were able to stroke and hold on their laps. Then a tour of the other animals including different breeds of sheep, goats, Shetland ponies and pigs.
In June, 8 children and their families attended our second Meet the Alpacas morning at Coull Alpacas. As before, the families met and stroked the alpacas, had a chance to lead them on a walk and feed them their breakfast. This is a very relaxed and enjoyable activity for the families.
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A Play in the Woods session at Knockiehill Woodland Centre had been scheduled for May. These sessions have always been well received; however, unfortunately, the weather was not on our side. The event was postponed until June but was subsequently cancelled due to a summer storm.
Dance classes have continued to run throughout this year at the Deeside Dance Centre, and the final dance class of the year took place on Saturday, 22nd June. Numbers for these sessions has fluctuated through the year, but for the families that have been involved, it has been a very positive experience. Moving forward, we would like to continue running these classes and we will continue to work with families to understand how we can best facilitate these sessions.
Although SCILL reached a smaller number of children and families this year than we had hoped, we know that they have benefited from increased participation in new and exciting activities and have improved self-esteem from taking part and feeling included. We have received lovely feedback from parents/carers about how much their children have enjoyed the activities,
Parents have reported that their mental health is much improved asa result of being able to access suitable activities for their children. They also feel that they are able to access a community of people who understand them and they can feel comfortable with.
Transitions and Continuity
At the end of June 2024, our Administrator stepped down to take up a role with another charity. At that point, several funding applications were already underway for the period from autumn 2024 onward, but the outcomes were still unknown.
To ensure clarity for everyone involved, members and funding partners were informed that our services would pause over the summer. We are very grateful to our outgoing Administrator, who kindly volunteered to remain as a point of contact during this period. The trustees wish to express their sincere thanks for her commitment and continued support.
Funding
In August 2024, we were delighted to receive confirmation of a successful two-year funding award of £18,300 from the National Lottery. This support will contribute towards the Administrator's salary, help us deliver a varied programme of children’s activities, allow us to enhance our website, and cover other essential running costs.
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In April 2025, we also received a generous £400 donation from Costco, which will be used for the running of the charity. We are extremely grateful for this contribution.
Recruitment of a New Co-ordinator
Following confirmation of funding, the trustees began the recruitment process for a new Co-ordinator in the autumn of 2024. Progress was slower than hoped due to unexpected personal circumstances affecting trustees’ availability. Despite this, the Board ensured that good governance and oversight were maintained throughout.
By February 2025, trustees were once again in a position to move ahead with recruitment. The post attracted a great deal of interest, and we were pleased to welcome our new Activities Co-ordinator, who took up the role on 28 April 2025.
Programme Development and Future Plans
With our new Co-ordinator in post, the trustees are looking forward to expanding our programme of activities for children and their caregivers. Planned activities include:
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e Indoor rock climbing e Paddleboarding e Segway sessions
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e Woodland play sessions
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e X-hail with Lyns e Craft activities
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e Supported cycling sessions
We are also exploring opportunities to offer new educational sessions for parents and caregivers.
The trustees are confident that the organisation is well positioned for the year ahead and remain deeply grateful for the continued support of our members, partners and wider community. We look forward to building on this year’s progress and remain committed to delivering high-quality activities and support for children, caregivers and families.
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SCILL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
1 Principal accounting policies
| These accounts | have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments | have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments | have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments | basis | inaccordance with the | inaccordance with the | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotiand) Act 2005 and | the Charities Accounts | (Scotland) | ||||||
| Regulations 2006 (as amended). Income is recognised when | received andpayments | payments | are recognised | |||||
| when made. | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| 2 | Donations | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total funds | Total funds | |||||
| Donations frommembers | 11,00 | 0.00 | 11,00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Other | donations | 400.00 | 0.00 | 400.00 | 52.50 | |||
| 411.00 | 0.00 | 411.00 | 52.50 | |||||
| 3 | Grants | |||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| £ | £ | |||||||
| Restricted grants: | ||||||||
| Presentations and Workshops: | ||||||||
| Funding brought forward | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Grants received in theyear | 1500.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Expenditure inyear (note 6) | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Funding carried forward | 1500.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Administrator and Insurance costs: | ||||||||
| Funding brought forward | 6,497.71 | 7,632.19 | ||||||
| Grant received inyear | 10,800.00 | 7,500.00 | ||||||
| Expenditure inyear (note 6) | -1,974.48 | -8634.48 | ||||||
| Funding carried forward | 15,323.23 | 6,497.71 | ||||||
| Activities: | ||||||||
| Funding brought forward | 715.30 | 2582.9 | ||||||
| Grantreceived in year | 6,000.00 | 1,347.64 | ||||||
| Donation received inyear | -2 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||
| Participants Fees | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Expenditure inyear (note 6) | -801.00 | -3,215.24 | ||||||
| Funding carried forward | 5,914.30 | 715.30 | ||||||
| Library Resources: | ||||||||
| Funding brought forward | 417.27 | 417.27 | ||||||
| Grant received in year | 0.00 | 0,00 | ||||||
| Expenditure inyear (note 6) | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Funding carried forward | 417.27 | 417.27 | ||||||
| Totalrestrictedgrantscarriedforward | 23,154.80 | 7,630.28 |
SCILL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS -continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
| a | Books & | library | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Books and resources purchased in the year: | ||||||
| Unrestricted fund | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Restricted fund | 0 | 0 | ||||
| en) | nn) | |||||
| 5 | Assets held | |||||
| Computer equipment& projector | 200 | 200 | ||||
| Sound equipment& | & flasks | 200 | 200 | |||
| Books & | other resources (est value) | ¢) | i¢) | |||
| 400 | 400 | |||||
| 6 | Expenditure from | restricted funding | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Presentations and | Workshops: | |||||
| Speakers’ fees& expenses | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Advertising | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Room hire and catering | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Materials | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||
| Administrator and | Insurance Costs: | |||||
| Salary costs | 1,620.00 | 8,280.00 | ||||
| Insurance costs | 354.48 | 354.48 | ||||
| ITexpenses | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Telephone | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Stationery, printing &postage | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Other Costs | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Mileage | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Liability Insurance | 0.00 «197448 |
— | 0.00 (B634.48 |
|||
| Activities: | ||||||
| Other sessions | 606.00 | 2619.1 | ||||
| Dance workshops | 195.00 | 596.14 | ||||
| Swimming courses/resources | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| 801.00 | 3,215.24 | |||||
| Library Resources: | ||||||
| Books and Games | 0.00 0.00 |
0.00 000 |
||||
| Total | 2,775.48 | 11,849.72 |
SCILL
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS -continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
7 Unrestricted general fund
| Unrestricted general fund | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Participants fees | 377.00 | 1281.00 |
| Donations received | 411.00 | 52.50 |
| Fundraising | 0.00 | 144.16 |
| 788.00 | 1477.66 | |
| Workshops & presentations: | ||
| Speakers’ fees &expenses | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Advertising | 100.00 | 9.97 |
| Catering | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Room hire | 22.50 | 39.72 |
| 122.50 | 49.69 | |
| General costs: | ||
| Salary costs | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Stationery,printing & postage | 45.95 | 182.02 |
| Activity costs -Dancing, TE, Choc and swim t-shirts | 36.50 | 478.36 |
| Telephone | 126.96 | 117.84 |
| Room hire | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| ITexpenses (inc domain name, webhosting and software) | 386.06 | 604.52 |
| Liability insurance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Other costs (inc computer) | 171.60 | 275.24 |
| 767.07 | 1,657.98 | |
| Total payments : |
889.57 | 1,707.67 |
| Net receipts/(payments) | -101.57 | -230.01 |
| Funding brought forward | 875.11 | 1,105.12 |
| Fundingcarriedforward | 773.54 | 875.11 |
SCILL
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
| Year to | Year | to | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Apr-25 | 30-Apr-24 | |||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total funds | Total funds | |||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| RECEIPTS | ||||||
| Donations received | -2 | 411.00 | 0.00 | 411.00 | 52.50 | |
| Grantsreceived | -3 | 0.00 | 18,300.00 | 18,300.00 | 8,847.64 | |
| Fundraising Participants’ fees |
0.00 377.00 |
0.00 0.00 |
0.00 377.00 |
144.16 1281 |
||
| 788.00 | 18,300.00 | 19,088.00 | 10,325.30 | |||
| PAYMENTS | ||||||
| Payments relating directly to charitable activities: | ||||||
| Speakers’ fees& expenses | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Othercostsof presentations | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Staff salaries | 0.00 | 1,620.00 | 1,620.00 | 8,280.00 | ||
| Books & library expenses | -4 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Advertising | 100.00 | 0.00 | 100.00 | 9.97 | ||
| Stationery printing & postage | 45.95 | 0.00 | 45.95 | 182.02 | ||
| Activity costs | 36.50 | 801.00 | 837.50 | 3,693.60 | ||
| Telephone | 126.96 | 0.00 | 126.96 | 117.84 | ||
| Room hire | 22.50 | 0.00 | 22.50 | 39.72 | ||
| ITexpenses | 386.06 | 0.00 | 386.06 | 604.52 | ||
| Other misc general costs | 171.6 | 0.00 | 171.6 | 275.24 | ||
| 889.57 | 2,421.00 | 3,310.57 | 13,202.91 | |||
| Governance costs: | ||||||
| Liability insurance | 0.00 | 354.48 | 354.48 | 354.48 | ||
| 0.00 | 354.48 | 354.48 | 354.48 | |||
| Total payments: | 889.57 | 2,775.48 | 3,665.05 | 13,557.39 | ||
| EXCESSOFRECEIPTSOVERPAYMENTS | -101.57 | 15,524.52 | 15,422.95 | -3,232.09 |
The notes form an integral part of these accounts
STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 30 APRIL 2025
Notes
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASH | FUNDS | £ | - | £ | £ | |||||||||
| inrestricted | Restricted | Total | funds | Total funds | ||||||||||
| losing | cash | and | bank | ¢ | 798.26 | 23,130.08 | 23,928.34 | |||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| RESERVES | £ | £ | ||||||||||||
| 23,928 | 34 | 8,505.39 | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| OTHER ASSETS | (unrestricted funds) | £ | £ | |||||||||||
| Books | 4 | other | res | es | (est | v | ia | 0 | "5 | |||||
| ~ 0.00 | ~ | 0.00 | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES | (unrestricted | funds) | £ | £ | ||||||||||
| 0.00 | 0.00 |
A pproved by the SCILLScILL CommitteeC on 271 i ” 5 and signed on its behalf by
IDavidson Accounting Accountants and Tax Advisors
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SCILL
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28" November 2025
To Whom It May Concern,
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of SCILL- Supporting children in learning for life (SCIO)
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Lreport on'the accounts of the charity-for the yearended 30" April 2025.
In the course of my examination, | found no cause to believe that the accounts were anything other than a true and fair representation of the financial position of the charity for this year.
Yours sincerely,
Accounts Assistant
Davidson Accounting
emplars
e. South Deeside Road, Maryculter, Aberdeen AB12 SGB elephone 01224 877 537 Fax 01224 735 )
www. i cenenaal com