Charity Registration Number : SC052228
## **STRONGER TOGETHER FOR AUTISM AND NEURODIVERGENCE SCIO**
A SCOTTISH CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (SCIO) TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **STRONGER TOGETHER FOR AUTISM AND NEURODIVERGENCE SCIO**
## **CONTENTS**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
|Legal and Administrative Information
......................................................................................................|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report
......................................................................................................................................|2|
|Independent Examiner's Report
..............................................................................................................|4|
|Statement of Financial Activities
.............................................................................................................|5|
|Balance Sheet
.........................................................................................................................................|6|
|Notes to the Financial Statements
..........................................................................................................|7|
Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **STRONGER TOGETHER FOR AUTISM AND NEURODIVERGENCE SCIO LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
## **Trustees**
## **Charity Number**
Jeffrey Blair **(Chair)** Elizabeth McCabe Alexandra Perreault Mike Berry Allan Strock SC052228
**Registered Office**
## **Bankers**
13 Tandberg Way Haddington EH41 3FZ The Co-operative Bank
**Independent Examiner**
Cangaf Accountants & Business Advisers 235 Tonge Moor Road,Bolton Bolton BL2 2HR
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **STRONGER TOGETHER FOR AUTISM AND NEURODIVERGENCE SCIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT**
## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2026.
## **Message from the Chair**
During the course of 2025 it was my great privilege to be appointed to be the Chair of STAND and I am extremely proud to present my first Chair Report and the third for the charity overall. I would also like to express my deep gratitude to all board members and volunteers for their support during this time and I particularly want to thank Lizzy McCabe who has been a fount of knowledge, wisdom and great counsel to me during the transition in conjunction with my grateful thanks for her fantastic leadership of STAND during her tenure as Chair.
During the course of 2025 we restructured the board with Judith Hamilton stepping back and both Mike Berry and Allan Strock becoming board members. I express our grateful thanks to Judith for her expertise and knowledge during her time on the Board. As a retired civil servant Mike has an extensive knowledge of the workings of government and his insight is proving invaluable to us as our profile as a charity increases. Allan has been a key volunteer with the charity for some time and brings a burning desire to create an environment which enables our neurodivergent children and their families to grow and thrive. In addition Allan will bring his fundraising skills to the benefit of the charity as in these financially constrained times we need to be innovative, sharp and nimble in order to secure the funding necessary to support and grow the charity.
During the course of 2025 the charity has grown exponentially as we continue to add value to the local community through initiatives such as Stay and Play, Soft Play, Neurodivergent Rugby sessions and Fresh Start also known as The Cleaning Project. These initiatives deliver practical support and demonstrate clearly the value which a small grassroots charity can deliver to families in local communities such as East Lothian and which we would love to see expanded throughout Scotland.
During 2025 our partnership with SoftSpott Dunbar has progressed significantly. We supported their team to launch monthly ASN soft play sessions in conjunction with providing practical tools and the provision of design advice. The commitment of SoftSpott to creating a sensory room as well as delivering midweek ASN sessions during the school holidays in conjunction with undertaking the monthly Sunday ASN sessions was a major step forward in supporting the local community. This partnership with SoftSpott is deepening and we are extremely grateful for their support. I would also like to express my gratitude to our Chief Operating Officer Dani Cosgrove who has utilised her excellent interpersonal skills to establish and develop this relationship.
The profile of the charity has substantially increased during 2025 as a consequence of giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Autism and ADHD Inquiry on 30 September. The written evidence provided to the inquiry in conjunction with the strong, passionately delivered and well researched oral evidence has raised the visibility of the charity at a national level. What struck me most of all at the inquiry was the ability of Dani to provide cogent answers to MSP questions through a lived experience and practical lens and she represented families and the charity in a truly fantastic way. In contrast the other charities presented their evidence from a more theoretical and high level perspective without the focus on the granular detail and intimate understanding of the practical experience and needs of families such as those that we support. I am delighted that the need to add voices of people with experience such as Dani to complement and supplement the work of these larger charities is being recognised and we look forward to continuing to build constructive relationships with such charities to maximise our impact. This appearance in front of the inquiry has resulted in significantly increased mainstream media coverage, continued growth through our digital channels and a substantial increase in community interest. I would also like to express my grateful thanks to Mike and Lizzy for their considerable efforts in preparing for the inquiry and in supporting and coaching Dani with her preparation for the inquiry. I also want to thank Dani for the considerable time and effort she devoted to the preparation and her subsequent articulate and fluent performance at the inquiry.
As the profile of the charity has increased we were also invited to an event sponsored by National Autistic Society Scotland in November which focused on the necessity for the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill (LDAN) being driven forward following the next Parliamentary election in May 2026. This provided us with the opportunity to network with other key parties and relationships have been established with MSPs, National Autistic Society Scotland and Scottish Autism. The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Tom Arthur has indicated that he is keen to meet with members of the STAND Board to discuss matters further in relation to what support we can provide in order to drive the bill forward. STAND has also been invited to give evidence as part of a round table discussion being conducted by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament, which they are holding as part of their Neurodivergence Inquiry in February 2026.
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
The fact that we are being invited to participate with ministers and inquiries further demonstrates our growing profile and influence going forward.
In preparation for 2026 the Board held a Strategy Day in November 2025 which provided us with an opportunity to reflect on what we achieved in 2025 as well as focusing on our objectives for 2026. The Board members have a wide range of experience across the public and private sectors together with having a wide range of skills, mental acuity, knowledge and experience and this was utilised to good effect during our full and frank discussions as to the focus for 2026. The Board is laser focused on driving the charity forward in 2026 and to that end we have developed and implemented new strategies encompassing fund-raising, volunteers and Influence and Engagement. I am very proud of the manner in which the Board both individually and collectively understand the challenges that the charity faces and are so enthusiastic and focused on adding value in conjunction with moving the charity forward. I must also express my admiration for our Chief Operating Officer, Dani Cosgrove who worked tirelessly in 2025 to provide the requisite information to Board members to facilitate and inform sound decision making. In addition as indicated earlier her contribution to the parliamentary inquiry was immense and the results have increased national visibility, a surge in engagement from the public via social media channels in conjunction with neurodivergent children, their parents, carers and families feeling that they are not alone and have been heard and supported.
The charity could not function effectively without the support of our volunteers, a number of whom dedicate literally all their free time to ensure that the charity continues to run effectively. As the charity continues to grow we will need to increase our volunteer base in order to continue to deliver on our existing services such as Stay and Plays, Charity Administration activities, further developing the charity social media channels, the provision of communication books and any new services which we may have the opportunity to develop in 2026. The Board thanks each and every one of you for your dedication and effort.
The Board would also like to express our special thanks to our patron, Thomas Keenan for his generosity both in terms of the time he gives to the charity in conjunction with the provision of significant financial support which ensures that we can maintain the services which provide such a lifeline and support to the local community.
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Jeffrey Blair Chair**
Date : **24 March 2026**
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **STRONGER TOGETHER FOR AUTISM AND NEURODIVERGENCE SCIO**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Stronger Together For Autism And Neurodivergence SCIO
I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2026 which consists of the statement of financial activities,balance sheet and the related notes
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts ( Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's statement**
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
• to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met: or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## Name: **Cecilia Asamoah MBA ACCA**
for and on behalf of **Cangaf Accountants & Business Advisers**
Date: **24 March 2026**
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **STRONGER TOGETHER FOR AUTISM AND NEURODIVERGENCE SCIO**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
|**Recommended**
**categories by activity**
**Notes**
**Income and**
**endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Other trading activities
4
**Total**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
5
Charitable activities
6
**Total**
Net income
**Net movement in**
**funds**
**Reconciliation of**
**funds:**
Total funds brought
forward
**Total funds carried**
**forward**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
21,975
22,500
19,454
**63,929**
5,075
37,987
**43,062**
20,867
**20,867**
41,366
**62,233**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
11,067
400
**11,467**
10,321
-
**10,321**
1,146
**1,146**
8,371
**9,517**|**Total Funds**
**2026**
**£**
21,975
33,567
19,854
**75,396**
15,396
37,987
**53,383**
22,013
**22,013**
49,737
**71,750**|**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
14,432
37,871
3,088|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**55,391**|
|||||3,667
40,075|
|||||**43,742**|
|||||11,649|
|||||**11,649**
38,088|
|||||**49,737**|
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **STRONGER TOGETHER FOR AUTISM AND NEURODIVERGENCE SCIO**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
|**Recommended categories by**
**activity**
**Notes**
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
8
**Total current assets**
**Total net assets**
**Funds of the Charity**
Unrestricted funds
9
Restricted funds
9
Endowment funds
9
**Total funds**|**Total Funds 2026**
**£**
71,750
**71,750**
**71,750**
62,233
9,517
-
**71,750**|**Total Funds 2025**
**£**
49,737
**49,737**|
|---|---|---|
|||**49,737**|
|||41,366
8,371
-|
|||**49,737**|
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 12 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
**Jeffrey Blair Chair**
Date : **24 March 2026**
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **STRONGER TOGETHER FOR AUTISM AND NEURODIVERGENCE SCIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
## **1. Accounting Policies**
The principal accounting policies adopted by the Charity, which is a public benefit entity, in the preparation of the accounts are as follows.
## **1.1 Basis of preparation**
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of charitable properties and fixed asset investments and investment properties at valuation.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
These accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.
## **1.2 Going concern**
The Trustees have prepared financial projections, taking into consideration the current economic conditions and have, at the time of approving these accounts, a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
## **1.3 Income from donations or grants**
Income from donations and grants is recognised when the charity is entitled to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. For donations, this is usually on receipt. For grants, this is usually when a formal o'er is made in writing. If a donation or grant contains terms and conditions outside of the charity’s control which must be met before the charity is entitled to the funds, or if the donor specifies that the funds must be used in future time periods, then the income is deferred.
## **1.4 Tax reclaims on donations and gifts**
Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.
## **1.5 Donated goods**
Donated goods are measured at fair value (the amount for which the asset could be exchanged) unless impractical to do so.
Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SoFA as income from donations when receivable.
## **a) Donated goods for distribution to beneficiaries**
The cost of any stock of goods donated for distribution to beneficiaries is deemed to be the fair value of those gifts at the time of their receipt and they are recognised on receipt. In the reporting period in which the stocks are distributed, they are recognised as an expense at the carrying amount of the stocks at distribution.
## **b) Donated goods for resale**
Donated goods for resale are measured at fair value on initial recognition, which is the expected proceeds from sale less the expected costs of sale, and recognised in 'Income from other trading activities' with the corresponding stock recognised in the balance sheet. On its sale the value of stock is charged against 'Income from other trading activities' and the proceeds from sale are also recognised as 'Income from other trading activities'.
## **c) Donated goods and services capitalised as Tangible fixed assets**
Goods donated for on-going use by a charity in carrying out its activities are recognised as tangible fixed assets with the corresponding gain recognised as income from donations within the SoFA.
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **1.6 Donated services and facilities**
Donated services and facilities are included in the SOFA when received at the value of the gift to the charity provided the value of the gift can be measured reliably.
Donated services and facilities that are consumed immediately are recognised as income with an equivalent amount recognised as an expense under the appropriate heading in the SOFA.
## **1.7 Income from charitable activities**
Income from charitable activities is recognised over the period to which the income relates. Concert fees are recognised at the date of the event. Membership fees are recognised over the period of the membership. Rent is recognised over the period to which it relates. Any amounts relating to future periods are deferred.
## **1.8 Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised when a present legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be estimated reliably. It is inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered.
Direct costs are those costs which directly attribute to its activities. Wages and salaries are allocated to direct costs based on an estimate of time spent on charitable activities by staff members. Support costs include staff costs and are those which do not produce a direct output. Staff costs relate to specific activities and this is reflected in the allocation of payroll costs based on the percentage of time spent.
All costs, including governance costs, are allocated between the expenditure categories of the charity on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are charged directly; others are apportioned on an appropriate basis. Support costs and overheads have been calculated by allocating staff time to the level of involvement in the various activities of the Charity.
## **1.9 Taxation**
The organisation is a registered charity and has no liability to income tax or corporation tax on its charitable activities during the year.
## **1.10 Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are those funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes.
## **1.11 Charity status**
The charity is registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).
## **2. Income from Donations and Legacies**
|**Analysis**
Donation and gifts
**Total**
**3. Income from Charitable**
**Analysis**
**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
Grants
22,500
**Total**
**22,500**|**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
21,975
**21,975**
**Activities**
**Restricted funds**
**£**
11,067
**11,067**|**Total funds 2026**
**£**
21,975
**21,975**
**Total funds 2026**
**£**
33,567
**33,567**|**Total funds 2025**
**£**
14,432|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**14,432**|
||||**Total funds 2025**
**£**
37,871
**37,871**|
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **4. Income from Other Trading Activities**
|**4. Income from Other Trading Activities**|**4. Income from Other Trading Activities**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Analysis**
**Unrestricted funds**
**Restricted funds**
**£**
**£**
Fundraising
activities
18,817
400
Tickets
purchases
637
-
**Total**
**19,454**
**400**
**5. Expenditure on Raising Funds**
**Analysis**
**Unrestricted funds**
**Restricted funds**
**£**
**£**
Staging
fundraising
events
212
-
Fund
raising
agents
-
-
Other
trading
activities
4,863
10,321
**Total**
**5,075**
**10,321**
**6. Expenditure on Charitable Activities**
**Analysis**
**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
Charitable activities
37,987
**Total**
**37,987**
**7. Details of certain Items of Expenditure**
**Independent examiner’s fees**
**8. Cash at bank and in hand**
**Analysis**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Total**||**Total funds 2026**
**£**
19,217
637
**19,854**
**Total funds 2026**
**£**
212
-
15,184
**15,396**
**Total funds 2026**
**£**
37,987
**37,987**
**This year**
£
900
**Total funds 2026**
**£**
71,750
**71,750**||**Total funds 2025**
**£**
-
3,088|
|||||**3,088**|
|||||**Total funds 2025**
**£**
21,903
(18,236)
-|
|||||**3,667**|
|||||**Total funds 2025**
**£**
40,075|
|||||**40,075**|
|||||**Last year**
**£**
600
**Total funds 2025**
**£**
49,737|
|||||**49,737**|
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## **9. Charity funds**
## **9.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period**
|**9.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period**|**material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period**|**material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period**|**material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Fund names**
**Fund**
**balances**
**brought**
**forward**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfers**
**Gains and**
**losses**
**Fund**
**balances**
**carried**
**forward**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
41,366
63,929
43,062
-
-
62,233
**Restricted**
**funds**
8,371
11,467
10,321
-
-
9,517
**Total**
**49,737**
**75,396**
**53,383**
**-**
**-**
**71,750**
**9.2 Details of material funds held and movements during the PREVIOUS reporting period**
**Fund names**
**Fund**
**balances**
**brought**
**forward**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfers**
**Gains and**
**losses**
**Fund**
**balances**
**carried**
**forward**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
38,088
47,020
43,742
-
-
41,366
**Restricted**
**funds**
-
8,371
-
-
-
8,371
**Total**
**38,088**
**55,391**
**43,742**
**-**
**-**
**49,737**|**Fund**
**balances**
**brought**
**forward**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfers**
**Gains and**
**losses**
**Fund**
**balances**
**carried**
**forward**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
41,366
63,929
43,062
-
-
62,233
8,371
11,467
10,321
-
-
9,517|||
||**49,737**
**75,396**
**53,383**
**-**|**-**|**71,750**|
||**38,088**
**55,391**
**43,742**
**-**|**-**|**49,737**|
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Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
## Completed Document Audit Report
Completed with SignWell.com
## **Title: AnnualReport_03242026 STAND (1) (1) (1) (2)**
Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485
Time Zone: (GMT+00:00) Coordinated Universal Time
## **Files**
AnnualReport_03242026 STAND (1) (1) (1) (2).pdf - 12 pages
Apr 27, 2026 15:18:04 UTC
## **Activity**
||**Cangaf Accountants &**
**Business Advisers**|created the document (cangafltd@gmail.com)|Apr 27, 2026
15:18:31 UTC|
|---|---|---|---|
||IP: 62.30.218.29|||
||**Cangaf Accountants &**
**Business Advisers**|sent the document to jeff@standuk.co.uk|Apr 27, 2026
15:19:57 UTC|
||IP: 62.30.218.29|||
||**Jeffrey Blair**|first viewed document (jeff@standuk.co.uk)|Apr 30, 2026
10:32:55 UTC|
||IP: 217.39.86.52|||
||**Jeffrey Blair**|signed the document (jeff@standuk.co.uk)|Apr 30, 2026
10:35:05 UTC|
||IP: 217.39.86.52|||
Document ID: 32d73d7e-7af3-4ae9-8b5b-eca4fb00c485