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Signed in as:
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Like all charities, Dementia Active has faced enormous challenges over the last few years, but, the good news is, despite the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, we are still here and, happily, thriving. We still face many threats, not least the challenges of recruiting staff, and are acutely aware that, nationwide, social care across the board is more fragile than ever.
I’m pleased to report that, after initially operating in village and church halls in the area, in July 2022 we finally moved into our new dedicated building in Banbury, rented on a 10-year lease. A lot of work was – and still is – needed but that hasn’t stopped us with the vital work of caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Dementia Active is currently self-funding with a small monthly surplus and we are actively seeking capital funding from grants and corporate donations to complete alterations to the building as well as funding of staff wages for the future.
All the hard work by our new fundraiser is beginning to see success with local businesses and organisations, as are the efforts of our dedicated grant applications trustee which will help underwrite these improvements and upgrades to the building and equipment. We are all, along with others in the sector, constantly aware that more is needed, in particular by way of long term financial support from government but that is part of the challenge.
Throughout all the uncertainties, challenges and changes of the last few years, one thing that has remained constant is the resilience and determination of our team. None of this could be achieved without their hard work and dedication, so I can only offer a heart-felt thank you to all of them, the drivers, the group leaders, the helpers, the entertainers, the chef and the bottle washers!
2023 looks like being an equally, if not more, challenging year and I look forward to reporting on our continued growth and success at the end of that time.
— Pat Moore
Dementia Active is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (registered charity number 1195246). Its board of trustees is responsible for managing the resources of the charity for its beneficiaries to further its charitable purpose. The day-to-day arrangements committee has delegated responsibility for the daily running of the charity. The charity is governed by its constitution.
Patrick Moore
Melissa Fazackerley
Caroline Wheatley
Kate Wilkinson (to 31 Dec 2022)
Joe Woods
Chris Kinch (from 8 Dec 2021 to 1 Sep 2022)
Anna Svenson-Tuckey (from 27 Jun 2022)
William Aylward (from 1 Sep 2022)
Joanne Elstob and Beth Noray joined the board of trustees after the end of the financial year but before this report was authorised.
Andy Gill (Chief Executive Officer)
Melissa Fazackerley (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Dementia Active was founded as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 21 July 2021. Its constitution sets out the framework for the governance of the charity. The purpose of the charity is to relieve the needs of people diagnosed with dementia and related conditions in Banbury and surrounding areas.
The constitution identifies four means by which the charity can achieve its aim and relieve the needs of its beneficiaries:
During this financial year, trustees were recruited from contacts of the charity, for example individuals who volunteer in sessions and family members of past beneficiaries. New trustees are provided with a copy of the constitution and guidance from the Charity Commission on trustee responsibilities.
The trustees have had regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to the public benefit requirement and are satisfied that their decisions reflect this requirement. Dementia Active fulfilled its responsibilities to the public and its beneficiaries by providing activity groups, transportation and related activities.
The trustees aim to achieve the charity’s purpose through the use of strategy involving several elements, most importantly by designing, planning and carrying out activity sessions using principles and techniques that contribute to cognitive stimulation, social participation and enjoyment.
The charity provides opportunities to participate in activity sessions to as broad a section of those in its beneficiary group as possible, making reasonable accommodations to allow those with different or additional needs to participate and only placing limits on membership that are absolutely necessary.
The charity seeks to include and involve its stakeholders in its work, including members’ families and carers, staff and volunteers, community members and organisations.
The charity uses a risk management framework in order to facilitate comprehensive management of its resources and activities in the interest of its beneficiaries.
Dementia Active CIO was registered at the beginning of this financial year, comprising a team of group leaders, a chef and volunteers who ran sessions at various village halls surrounding Banbury. Upon registration of the CIO, the trustees accepted that the charity should aim to acquire dedicated premises in Banbury from which to carry out its important work, and initiated fundraising, recruitment and governance projects to facilitate the charity’s goals.
Dementia Active provides four activity sessions per week for its members, each lasting three hours. During its first financial year the charity has utilised the services of four group leaders, who provided stimulating activities and opportunities for discussion and social interaction in a safe environment, and a chef who provided cooked three-course meals. Much-needed support within group sessions was provided by eight volunteers.
The chef, group leaders and other staff have also fulfilled the responsibility of transporting members between their homes and the Dementia Active premises. The charity has been provided with transportation assistance by seven volunteer drivers, and also made partnerships with professional transportation providers.
In July 2022 the charity reached its milestone and moved into its new premises in Manor Park, Banbury. Over the course of the financial year there have been more than 3,750 session attendances and 42 members who attended at least one session with the charity.
The trustees did not adopt a reserves policy for the 2022 financial year. The level of reserves at the end of the financial year was £49,001.
The principal source of funding for the charity’s activities was £96,392 from member contributions in the form of suggested donations collected for session attendance. In reflection of the strategy to enable maximum participation in sessions, a reduced fee or free attendance has been offered on a case-by-case basis.
The charity also received grants amounting to £51,051 and carried out fundraising events which raised £1,282.
The charity incurred £15,000 of debt for the purpose of installing a lift to enable members who are unable to use stairs to move between floors.
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Dementia Active. Charity no. 1195246
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