The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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).
Our charity's purposes as set out in the objects contained in the company's Memorandum of Association are:
"to promote the relief of children, youths and adults with learning disabilities aged between 6 and 30 and living in Tynedale and South West Northumberland, in particular by providing short break facility by the provision of but not exclusively, leisure activities."
We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This annual report looks at what we have achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous twelve months. The document reports on the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to families and the children, young people and adults we aim to help.
The report also helps us ensure our aim, objectives and activities remain focussed on our stated purposes. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's General Guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities, In particular, the trustees and management staff consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
The Focus of our Work
Our main objective for the year 2022/23 continued to be in line with the objects contained in our Memorandum of Association as quoted above.
The strategies we used to meet our objectives included:
- Providing a range of activity sessions during both term times and school holidays
- Working in partnership with other agencies to ensure provision which best meets the needs of our children
and young people
These objectives were delivered throughout the local community and wider areas of Tynedale and Cumbria during our term time Saturday Clubs and school holiday sessions.
WECAN offers three levels of service:
WECAN Explore, Working with Family Hubs, we facilitate focus groups for parents with children under 6 with additional needs and provide advice and guidance to make sure they are not alone. This provides continuity and the opportunity to enter our Children’s Service.
WECAN Children and Young Adult Service Age 6yrs to 18yrs. We give valuable respite on Saturdays and school holidays to parents and carers who need time to focus on other aspects of their life. Each service user no matter what their needs, is prepared for the rigours of life as they grow. All activities are done in the community, which develops their confidence and independence. We also focus on late teenagers smoothing out the transition to the Adult service should they wish to progress.
WECAN Adult Service Age 19 and above. We provide care in the community which stimulates further independence, some in this service do live independently with help, we provide a level of service driven by what they want to do.
The children and young people and adults we work with have a range learning and physical disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders, Downs Syndrome, challenging behaviours, are non-verbal, neurodiverse and have other complex needs. We also support children and young people with health care needs such as specialist feeding requirements, epilepsy, medication needs and personal care.
Summary
WECAN has had another successful year, we continue to provide a valuable service for families, children, young people and adults with additional needs in South West Northumberland. The numbers coming to our events and using our services are increasing and we are linking more closely with other organisations working in the sector. In addition management structure changes have led to a growing confidence in the quality of the services we provide and our internal processes.
Funding remains challenging, our current level of reserves provides us with a stable platform for our current operations, but following 2 years of reductions following the cost of living crisis, we are targeting an increase in reserves in the year ahead through an increased focus on grant applications as well as through fundraising activity. An increase in reserves in the year ahead is a strategic priority for our organisation and the new management structure has been built with this in mind.
Health and Safety
Our staff work with vulnerable children, young people and adults and are acutely aware of the associated responsibilities. This is reflected in our policies, procedures, recruitment practices and staff training. A named trustee is appointed to focus on Safeguarding and there are a number of staff qualified as Safeguarding Leads, everyone involved with WECAN must undergo safeguarding training. In addition there is a comprehensive training programme that all Support Workers must complete and this year a Team Leader has been give a specific role to coach our Support Workers. All associated with WECAN are DBS certified.
In the twelve months to November 2024 there have been no issues that required reporting.
Staffing
Our Service Manager Hayley Armstrong left in December 2023 after 12 years of valued service and as well as a replacement, we decided to recruit a Business Manager to both improve our office practices and increase the rate of fundraising and grant applications.
Kirsty Jackson has stepped up to the role of Service Manager and Jennifer Pacitti has been employed as Business Manager. In addition we have promoted three staff to Team Leaders both giving them specific responsibilities during our sessions and personal objectives with regard to the Day Service, teenager progression to the Adult Service and staff development.
The majority of our care providers are young adults during their final year at school or college. This is either preparation for a career in the care industry or their life experience. Many continue to return during university or college holidays and are a great asset to WECAN.
Activities
Uniquely all of our activities take place in the community. Our aim is to stimulate everyone who attends our sessions whilst providing a valuable respite for their families particularly during holiday periods.
Typical activities on a Saturday include swimming, ten pin bowling alongside cinema visits, art and games.
During the holidays the longer sessions allow us to travel further afield, some of the highlights of this year’s holiday activities were visits to Raby Castle, Holmside Park, Chester le Street, Beamish Open Air Museum and Diggerland all situated in adjacent Co. Durham, swimming at both Haltwhistle outdoor pool and Prudhoe Waterworld. We visited Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth and South Tyne Railway, Alston, also the yearly pantomime and many more. Photographs can be found on our website www.wecanenable.co.uk.
This year we have teamed up with other local charities such as Stage Fright, Hexham Cinema and the Torch Centre This is not only enjoyable but has supplemented our fundraising activities.
Feedback
This is just a sample of the comments made by parents at the end of Summer Scheme which ran from July to the end of August 2024
WECAN is an outstanding facility for children over the summer holidays. It means our daughter still has a routine and regular activities and the choice is varied and interesting. She loves going to WECAN and the staff are amazing!!
I feel that WECAN always do an amazing job! Jack loves his days out with WECAN he also loves going on the big bus. Management and staff are amazing and always listen to what your child needs. I would like to thank you all for this summer scheme you have smashed it once again and it really helps break the holidays up.
As always, we are indebted to WECAN for offering such a range of activities throughout the summer holidays that gives my child some well-deserved fun, and gives us a well-deserved break!! Thank you as always.
I am so pleased that we have been introduced to WECAN. It’s an amazing charity that provides wonderful opportunities for children of all abilities. They are very welcoming, supportive and understanding. WECAN has made such a positive impact to our lives.
I do not know how we would cope with the school summer holidays without the WECAN Summer Scheme! There are no other options that would enable me to keep working during this period, which is giving something for my son that not only keeps him occupied, but he also looks forward to and keeps asking what the next activity is for him. The variety of activities means that there is something for attendees with different levels of preferences as well as abilities. The team can be trusted to keep our children safe whilst in their care and this is greatly appreciated.
I was dreading the summer holidays by myself with two children with additional needs. Then WECAN came to our rescue and saved my sanity. The children enjoyed day trips out with staff trained to cater to their differing medical and emotional needs. They got to experience places I wouldn’t have managed taking them to by myself and created lovely bonds with the staff. My neurodiverse child never usually wants to go anywhere without me but now asks daily when they can go back to WECAN.
More feedback can be found on our website www.wecanenable.co.uk.
Day Service
The move to the Moot Hall located in the centre of Hexham has been a great success, both as a meeting place for Hexham-based activities and as an activity space for small groups. This has allowed us to increase our Adult Day services and typically on a Thursday and Friday small groups can be found doing craft activities interspersed with outside activities depending on the weather. As a Grade 1 listed building, however, it does present some challenges both to further develop our activities and from a maintenance perspective.
Recognition
WECAN has been recognised with the following awards:
North England Prestige Program Youth Support NPO of the Year- Northumberland, 2024/25 winner
SME News, Northern Enterprise Awards 2024. Most Inclusive Additional Needs Support Service 2024 – Northumberland & Best Parent & Child Community Support Service 2024 (North East): WECAN Explore
2024 UK Enterprise Awards hosted proudly by SME News. Most Empowering PWD Life Enrichment Organisation 2024 – Northumberland
Sport Tynedale Club of the Year 2024, Award of Merit
WECAN Services in Numbers
Over the year 63 different people attended our session, 19 of whom were adults at the year end. Of these 5 adults and 11 children benefitted from National Lottery Funding.
In 2023-4 there were 34 Saturday clubs, holiday clubs include 2 days at Easter, 12.5 days during the summer, plus 3 unfunded, by Coiunty, half-term activities.
In total this represents over 4,500 hours of service provision of which 65% is for those under the age of 18.
Of the hours provided around 50% were at a staffing ratio of one to one, thirty percent in small groups and the balance where two staff members were required for each person.
At the year-end we had 37 employees of whom three are on staff contracts, the balance being paid hourly of whom 7 work during their vacation.
Summary
Compared to the previous year we were able to halve the deficit from £17.9k to £8.7k. Day-to-day operations saw an increase in revenue and a reduction in activity costs. However continued pressure on wages due to increases in the living wage has largely offset this. Grants, donations and fundraising were similar to the previous year and we are targeting a rise in these areas in 2025.
Grants, Donations and Fundraising
Once again we are grateful to everyone who supported us this year, no matter how much they were able to contribute. A lot of effort went into applying for new grants and approaching new potential donors, some were able to help and hopefully others will be able to in the future. The unrestricted donations were particularly valuable.
Fundraising was a third up on last year. Great North Run revenues were up by 20% and there were many small fundraising activities, many organised by the adult section of WECAN. The monthly draw income was double the previous year. We hope to see even greater fundraising in 2025.
Activity Income
Invoiced income from Northumberland County Council increased by 7.7% over the previous year, this was as a result of increasing numbers using the service and we received a rate increase between 3% and 7% in September 2024. We will be applying for a further rate increase in February to help offset the impact of minimum wage and National Insurance increases.
Activity Costs
Activity costs were reduced by 46% compared to the previous year, a great result from the service team. This was partially due to a reduction in the hire of venues following relocation to the Moot Hall but mainly due to planning activities closer to Hexham and in line with our reduced budget. This did not in any way impact the quality or enjoyment of our offering.
Central Costs
Central costs were up by a third. This was in part due to the more expensive Moot Hall facility but mainly due to the costs of accounting, payroll and year end. This enabled us to be more professional in the way we manage central processes, central costs are under constant review.
Payroll
Our payroll costs increased by 6% over the previous year much of which relates to the increased volumes. Significantly our base cost increased as monthly paid staff increased from two to three. The increases in both numbers of staff and levels of pay were required to ensure we have the team in place to deliver a high-quality service, we consider this to be a strong management team.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The Management has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. A risk register has been established and is updated annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Internal controls risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, clients and visitors to the Charity.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 27 September 2007. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which set out the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law and under the company's Articles are known as members of the Management Committee, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the members of the Management Committee are elected to serve for a period of three years, after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting. All members of the Management Committee give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
WECAN has a Management Committee of 8 members who meet quarterly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the Committee are from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity.
A scheme of delegation is in place and day to day responsibility for the provision of the services rests with the Service Manager who is responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that key performance indicators are met. The Service Manager also has the responsibility for the day to day operational management of the Project, individual supervision of the staff team and also ensuring that the team continue to develop their skills and working practices in line with good practice.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of WECAN - We Enable Children with Additional Needs (the charity) for the year ended 31 October 2024.
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
WECAN - We Enable Children with Additional Needs is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Moot Hall Gallery, Market Place, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1XF.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Sale of goods
Raising funds
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
National Lottery Saturday club refers to income set aside for the provision of Saturday club attendance for those not in receipt of direct payments yet have significant additional needs.
Ballinger Trust income refers to a grant income for £10,000 split between the establishing of WECAN Explore, a new section providing support for babies and mothers 0-6 years and for children for half term activities.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).