Circles Network helped transform Richard's life from isolation to inspiration over 18 months. When they first met, Richard was unengaged, spending nights playing video games and days in bed. With the support of a small Circle of Support, Richard began regularly attending the gym, took up hobbies like horseback riding and gardening, and gained employment - moving from a stagnant life to one with purpose and relationships.

1. Circles Network
building inclusive communities
Circles Network Impact Report

2. Contents
Contents
Mission, Vision, Acknowledgements 2
Word from the Chairman 3
Word from the CEO 4
Our Impact with Adults 5 - 14
Our Impact with Adults, Children, Young People and Families 15 - 17
Our Impact with Children and Young People and Families 18 - 24
Leadership and Empowerment 25 - 30
Independent Auditors - Statement 31 - 32
Statement of Financial Activities 33 - 34
Front and Back
Cover Design
Alan Blackaby
Alan is a very talented artist preferring
to use the medium of pencils and felt-tip
pens; he is right handed but does all
of his artwork left handed following a
number of strokes and illnesses.
He has an excellent eye for detail and
enjoys drawing precisely and to scale.
1 We have taken the liberty to change some of the names in the stories to preserve confidentiality.

3. Mission, Vision, Acknowledgements
Our Mission
Introduction Circles Network exists to complement the efforts of
people at risk of exclusion to become the architects
The purpose of this report and the of their own lives by:
accompanying DVD is to provide you with an
up-to-date snapshot of the expanding work engaging in all aspects of community life
of Circles Network throughout the UK during
increasing confidence, respect and value
the fiscal year 2008 - 2009.
fostering a variety of interdependent
Our ambition is to create sustainable and
relationships
inclusive communities, where everyone
encouraging informed choice and
belongs, in this lifetime.
individual control
Never has there been a time more urgent for improving personal well-being, safety
bringing together all generations, cultures and happiness
and diverse people to deal with issues that
affect all communities. We hope to include developing gifts and competencies
you in a circle somewhere, collaborating with towards productive, fulfilling lives.
others for collective advantage, building a
better world for all.
We thank you for your interest and support
and look forward to your participation and
contribution to our mission and vision in the
Our Vision is
coming years.
To create social inclusion, promote the spirit of
community and accomplish the acceptance of
difference.
Acknowledgements
We extend our gratitude and thanks :
Front and Back cover - Alan Blackaby
Graphics and layout - Alex Reeves and Jonny Cumiskey
Writing and text - All staff and volunteers
Production and printing 2009 - Impress Print, Northants
2

4. Word from the Chairman
About Circles
Network
Circles Network is a UK wide voluntary
organisation based in Warwickshire, renowned
for building inclusive communities on the
foundations of justice, advocacy, empowerment
and relationships. Working with people of any The Chairman
age who are isolated or at risk of isolation, this
That wonderful man Rabbi Hugo Gryn, wrote
organisation has ground breaking expertise
in his book ‘Chasing Shadows’ :
in the development of Circles of Support,
independent and collective advocacy, person
centred planning and inclusion into the “Time is short and the task is urgent.
mainstream of life. Working in highly creative, Evil is real. So is good. There is a
entrepreneurial styles, we are dynamic and ever choice. And we are not so much
more determined to dream, dare and do. chosen as choosers.”
I am constantly inspired by the choices which
Board Members the staff at Circles Network continue to make
and Trustees in their search to build inclusive communities
– inclusive of all people. And in our world of
Oliver Russell - President change those of us in the Network remain
Eric Adams - Chair steadfast in our determination to encourage
Andrew Cater - Co Vice - Chair both ourselves and those with whom we work
Andrea Whittaker - Co Vice - Chair to be choosers and to grow, in all senses of the
Jim Inglis - Treasurer phrase.
Sue Pringle - Trustee All at Circles Network, not least my committed
Tony Mc Teare - Trustee colleagues on the Board of Trustees, continue
Julie Allen - Trustee to uphold that vision and ethos which gave
Jill Mordaunt - Trustee birth to the organisation fifteen years ago and
James Mc Neile - Trustee I am honoured to be able to commend all of
Mandy Neville - Chief Executive Officer them and their choices to you in this report.
Claire Lloyd - Financial Controller
Tony Kirk - Director of Learning and
Development, Company Secretary
Eric Adams
Chairman
3

5. Word from the CEO
Word from
the CEO
“Keep your eyes on the stars
and your feet on the ground”
Our main purpose is to provide support
We at Circles Network have certainly followed that enables and empowers disabled and
the advice in Theodore Roosevelt’s quotation in disadvantaged people of all ages to take control
recent times. This year demanded high resilience of and improve on life chances. Over the last
against the first major national recession in our fifteen years we have provided direct support to
history. We were forced to make cost efficiencies individuals and their families and indirect support
and reduce provision whilst staying constant to through offering learning and development
our purpose. opportunities to a wide range of professional
supporters, carers, parents and friends through
We have emerged in a very strong position
our educational programmes and projects.
with a skilful and passionate team, ready and
able to take forward a new agenda for growth.
Our challenge is to have the courage to continue
Remaining positive throughout this period,
to break new ground and to pass on the tools
unleashing hope and possibility, indeed,
and the wisdom so that others may follow and
shooting for the stars, has driven us towards
contribute their particular blend of magic.
even greater goals.
We want to see a multidimensional sustainable
We have looked carefully at our strategic constellation for all.
capacity to shape new frontiers for inclusion to
flourish. Those new frontiers we are concerned I am ever grateful to our allies and supporters, to
with are both geographic, spreading our reach our volunteers, colleagues and funders for the
more fully across the UK, and holistic, ensuring energy, commitment and generosity that provides
we reach all dimensions where people struggle the life blood of this organisation.
for acceptance and belonging.
Thank you
One of the new requirements of the Charity
Commission is that of demonstrating the public
benefit each charitable organisation provides.
This demand sharpens the thinking and led us
to evaluate our own contribution, in truth, it Mandy Neville
is clear that every project we undertake adds Chief Executive Officer
public benefit and we have described this in our
business plan and in the ensuing report.
4
3

6. Our Impact with Adults
Modernising Making a Difference
Day Services When Brian was put in touch with Circles Network
Community Day Services at Leamington through
the local Social Services department, he was settled
We are delighted to provide day services across in his own flat with 24 hour support. The one thing
Warwickshire for disabled people living in and Brian wanted was to have more opportunities to
around Atherstone in the North, and Leamington get out into the community as he realised he was
in the South, of the County. spending too much time worrying alone. Brian is
now supported by the day service to go for regular
As we make progress with modernising pub lunches. He recently visited friends where he
these services, so we work more directly with used to live, who were surprised and delighted to
people from the setting of their homes and be back in touch. Brian likes to sing songs by The
neighbourhoods. The service has attracted people Beatles and The Rolling Stones and enjoys giving
who have great talents and skills, resulting in the the friends he has made from his involvement in
emergence of social enterprises in craft production Leamington Day Services a reminder of his vocal
and in high quality exhibits of photography and talents. He has expressed an interest in live music
arts and crafts, amongst other interesting activities. and is beginning to venture out, with support, to
live concerts.
Liam’s Story
Liam is one of Circles Network’s shining stars! With
our support, through the Atherstone Community
Day Service, he has gone from success to success.
Liam was encouraged to start an IT course at
College, his resilience and hard work was rewarded
Brian enjoying in 2007 with not only a 95% pass for his final test
new found suppo but also an achievement award from Nuneaton and
r t
Hinckley College for the Best Student Overcoming
Difficulties. Not satisfied with this Liam went on to
push himself further gaining new independence
by moving from the family home to establish
independent living and travelling without assistance.
Liam, who will openly tell you about his learning
barriers, is an exceptional individual who is now
putting something back by volunteering with New
Ideas at Rugby, Coventry and Warwick, helping
others with IT training and supporting the Day
Service ten pin bowling Circle. Liam no longer needs
Liam’s Success
5 the support of Community Day Service and has
relinquished his place as a person in need!

7. Our Impact with Adults
Matt’s Story
Matt Howard’s Circle of Support started with One of the things that is important to Matt is to
the help of Circles Network five years ago. share his personal story, which is what Matt has
Nadine Jay, his facilitator, was ceremoniously now done many times as part of the Academy
‘dumped’ at a beer festival some four years for Inspiring Inclusion.
ago when Matt and the Circle decided they
were strong enough and committed enough Matt has over the past five years, presented to
to go it alone! Government Ministers in London, been invited
to speak at a Circles of Support conference in
Matt requires 24 hour support to assist with Dortmund, Germany, co-chaired a transition
personal and communication requirements. conference and has presented at numerous
events and workshops.
His Circle supported him to move in to his own
house, to recruit his own personal assistants, to Matt will be developing his career in training in
have an active social life and to be involved in the very near future, by becoming a trainer on
the world of work. our person centred planning course alongside his
brother Simon.
On a community level, another of Matt and
his Circle’s dreams is to organise a street party
outside his house in August 2010. The aim of this
is to enable Matt’s neighbours to come together
and to build community, with Matt organising
and making a hugely positive contribution to his
local area. Matt has a regular column in his local
neighbourhood magazine and as a result of this,
so many people stop him to say hello, it now
takes him a lot longer to go shopping, which
Matt wit
his Mum, h eann
J
is great!
e
Inclusion achieved.
6

8. Our Impact with Adults
Circles of Support
The project in Oxfordshire was originally
Circles of Support are perhaps the area of work accessible only to those people living with
Circles Network is best known for. We initiate and elderly parents or carers.
develop thousands of Circles of Support across
the UK and further afield. We have been delighted to be able to open
up the project to more people with learning
Along with assisting people with training and
difficulties, made possible thanks to an extra
learning to help them take the lead in developing
two years of funding from the Oxfordshire
Circles, we also run small and large projects
Partnership Board.
where we directly provide on-going support.
These projects are currently based in North and
The increase in funding reflects the impact
South Wales, West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey,
the project has made to people’s lives in such
Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and
a short space of time and allows us to cope
Warwickshire. We have captured a few examples
with the additional demand on resources.
in these pages.
It has also enabled Oxfordshire Circles of
Support to recruit our first full-time dedicated
facilitator as well as a part-time manager.
Circles of Support The role of the Circles facilitator is greatly
valued by individuals, family and the
in Oxfordshire multidisciplinary teams. The facilitator is the
person who can co-ordinate the professionals
The Circles of Support project in Oxfordshire involved in the individual’s life to ensure that
currently supports 19 Circles with the help of the focus person gets the most out of the
92 volunteers and additional family members. services that are offered to them. Five of the
These volunteers have been invited to original 19 Circles now run independently.
participate in a Circle of Support, and give their This means that a natural unpaid facilitator
own time to support the focus person to plan has emerged from within the groups. This
and meet their goals and dreams. is the eventual aim for all of the Circles so
that they can continue to support people
“Most people who have a Circle of regardless of funding.
Support say that, from the day that it
is up and running their lives become so Not only has the project been able to support
much bigger”. people by facilitating their Circles of Support,
but also by taking on the role of advocacy,
People suddenly realise that they have a and by supporting individuals to develop
group of friends that have genuine interest in and implement person centred plans. We
supporting them to actualise their aspirations. have provided people with opportunities
to meet others, to expand their networks of
relationships and to practise skills such as
7
public speaking and assertiveness; which
they can use in other areas of their lives.

9. Our Impact with Adults
Ellie’s It is a great way for people who have learning
differences to get in touch with other people.
New Venture
The web forum is open to all people who live in
One of the Circles of Support identified that Oxfordshire. This is a real success for the Circle
Ellie, the focus person of their Circle, was and also for the people of Oxfordshire.
interested in finding people who may want to
house share. However, she didn’t know anyone Through the web forum, Ellie has met with other
else who may be interested or how she might people who share the same desires as her.
meet other people. So Ellie, with the help of her
Circle, decided she needed to develop a way of She is now living in a shared house
meeting other people. Ellie and her sister are that has been totally set up by Ellie
really into computers, and decided that a web and her Circle.
forum would be the best way.
They have chosen and purchased the house, had
building work done, interviewed and appointed
So with the help of her Circle members, she has
staff, agreed on two other house mates,
developed a website called ‘Bridging the Gap’.
and moved in.
enture
Ellie’s New V
8

10. Our Impact with Adults
It Takes a Little Time
Circles Network first met Richard eighteen months
ago and in that time his life has been transformed
from a story of isolation and loneliness into one of
inspiration and joy.
When Circles Network were first introduced
This led to Richard making the most out of gym
to Richard he made it very clear that he hated
sessions and the beginning of some sustainable
meetings, reviews and social workers. He refused
relationships with people he met there. His spirits
to comment when asked about how his life was
had lifted hugely by now and he took Steve on for
going, preferring to let Brenda, his supportive
three days a week to pursue a range of interests. He
mum, do the talking.
started to show a distinct liking for the outdoor life,
Richard spent most nights playing on his he took up horse riding and gardening and enjoyed
PlayStation and then all day in bed. Brenda getting out to local farms and places of interest.
described her son’s situation as “stagnant and Now he had the hang of Direct Payments, Richard
having no life”. Brenda was worried that Richard and the small Circle of Support he had developed
would never find a way to move on as he would around him by then, decided to give up his place at
not engage with anyone. Previously he had a local respite care facility and take on another
enjoyed a job at a pub for two hours a week personal assistant to support him at weekends at
through a local supported employment scheme the family’s caravan in Skegness.
but unfortunately the placement had broken
down. Employment came next and through a connection
of Caroline’s, Richard gained a trial placement
When asked if Richard was interested in a Circle of with the Estate Manager of a nearby stately home
Support he said yes, but that he definitely did not for a groundsman position. Through his own
want anyone in it! determination, he showed how capable and strong
A relationship had to be built with Richard and he is and is now working there officially for two
Circles Network facilitator Caroline Garner felt the days a week. He even has his own set of keys to the
ideal opportunity, given his interest in modern tractor he operates.
music, was through a night club project that she
was involved with. “I helped Richard get his name Brenda is overjoyed and is the first to acknowledge
down for the six week DJ workshop. Richard made Richard’s new found confidence and conversational
some friends at the workshop and on the last skills. His dad is also incredibly proud of Richard’s
journey home he said to me, ‘I want to do what success and both parents agree that,
Paul does and go to the gym’.” “this has been the making of him and them”.
To help this become a reality, Caroline supported “Richard has made Wednesdays and
Richard to access Direct Payments and gain the Thursdays the best days of the week
support of a personal assistant and, after a small because we all look forward to
battle, Richard was able to hire Steve. working with him”.
9 Work Colleague

11. Our Impact with Adults
Barry's Story
Barry decided that he would like to go on holiday,
but didn’t know how to organise it, with the
support of his Circle, he found that it was easy.
Typically he would spend one week of the year
with his family near a British beach. However, this
year he wanted to do something different.
out with
Ma tty, on a day oodstock
W
A few months earlier he had decided that he his friends at
wanted to find someone to go out with at the museum.
weekends. He tried various friendship schemes,
and eventually decided to advertise, and employ
someone. He was fortunate enough to meet
someone who he actually became good friends
with and even after the money ran out, they
continued to spend much of the weekend
together.
Preparing for a
Barry decided that Jed is a really good friend and meeting. circles
someone that he would like to go on holiday with.
Barry plucked up the courage to ask if Jed would
go to Spain with him and his parents, who would Ricky and Matty
be staying in separate resorts, but in the same
area. Jed was delighted, and said that it was an In August Ricky and Matty, who both have their
honour to be asked. The holiday went ahead as own Circles of Support, planned a day out. They
planned, and everyone had a great time! Barry are both really keen on dinosaurs, and found
said that he never dreamed that he would be able out about an exhibition that was happening in
to go abroad. Woodstock. They had originally met through
one of Matty’s Circle members Greg who worked
with Matty, and lives next door to Ricky and his
family. When Greg realised that both Matty and
Ricky were fascinated by dinosaurs, he suggested
that they might like to meet, and invited them
both over for a summer bar-b-que, along with
many of his friends. The three planned their trip
to Woodstock, and had a wonderful time. The
sun was shinning and they really enjoyed the
exhibition, and are now organising a trip to the
Natural History Museum in London.
10

12. Our Impact with Adults
West Sussex Circles
The Circles Project in West Sussex has been our
longest running, spanning more than nine years
with support from West Sussex County Council.
In this area alone there are more than a thousand
volunteers who belong to a Circle of Support.
Some of these volunteers also support Circles Saturday Circles
Network at community events, raising our profile This Summer volunteers and people from the
and that of the concept and practice of inclusion Saturday Circles performed at the Lion’s Fare. The
and equality for all. One group of volunteers run show had songs from Mamma Mia, and Grease and
a regular stall in the main shopping centre in was very well received. After the event the group
Burgess Hill, talking to shoppers and introducing were approached to appear at two other events
conversations that matter towards building in the area. Parents said they had never seen their
inclusive communities in that particular locality. young people so confident and couldn't believe
In this last year we have increased our provision that they sang in front of such a big crowd.
for the sons and daughters of older parents who
live at home, prioritising Circles of Support and
increasing natural networks.
The Young People’s Group
The Saturday Circles’ young people’s group raised
Social Opportunities money at the Lion’s Fare through a sponsored
and Saturday Circles sports event and a stall. The group decided to
use the money for a trip to Chessington World of
Saturday Circles emerged to provide for a Adventure.
growing need expressed by people who found
themselves isolated at weekends. In the South The Circle hired a large fully accessible coach for
East of England we have worked with 43 people, the journey and organised for a separate car as one
supporting them to take a lead in deciding what of the mothers was concerned that her daughter,
activities the three separate projects would take. Amy, was too frightened to use the coach.
Involvement in such decisions led to greater On the morning of the outing Amy was given
confidence and leadership experience. This in the choice of travelling on the coach and time
turn encouraged four young people to take up was taken to gently help her on board. Amy then
employment in this work and another two to decided she really didn’t want to use the coach, to
become volunteers. her mother’s relief, she did agree to travel in the car.
These new groups are gaining interest nationally Her mother admitted that this trip had meant a
and we have plans to set up further Saturday lot to Amy and to her and her husband, as it gave
Circles projects in two areas of Warwickshire. them a chance to spend the day together. She was
also impressed by the positive adaptable attitude
towards her daughter and her needs by the
11 volunteers and young people in the Saturday Circle.

13. Our Impact with Adults
Advocacy What does Circles Network
Our advocacy projects include those provide through our
commissioned to provide Circles of Support, advocacy services?
Patient’s Councils and groups of people using
services as a form of collective advocacy. Circles Network have been providing advocacy
with disabled and disadvantaged people in a
We also provide professional advocacy for: variety of ways since our inception. The aims of
people with dementia or enduring mental ill our endeavours are to ensure that we are:
health, people with eating disorders, people
with learning difficulties and people supported Safeguarding people who are vulnerable and
in forensic settings. discriminated against, or who services find
difficult to serve.
In this year we have supported over 1000 people
individually and hundreds of collective advocacy Empowering people who need a stronger
groups. In Scotland we have projects in Glasgow, voice, by enabling them to express their own
Edinburgh and more recently in Fife. needs and make their own decisions.
Enabling people to gain access to information,
to explore and understand their options, and
to make their views and wishes known.
Speaking on behalf of people who are
unable to do so for themselves.
We are the Cha
mp ions
It’s cool to belon
g
Enjoying the open air life
12

14. Our Impact with Adults
How Advocacy helped Modelling Advocacy
in George’s Life Suzanna was brought into hospital against
her wishes; she was frightened, insecure and
George had lived in Dundee for most of his life anxious about being in a psychiatric hospital.
and had moved to Edinburgh to take up an Through contact and interaction with an
amazing new job. Sadly, he found himself ‘let advocate she was able to find out what her
go’ after a few short years, coinciding with his rights were regarding her treatment. She
diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. hadn’t realised that she had rights when she
was initially brought into hospital. As a result
George told Janine, our advocate, that he of this she began to feel less threatened as
felt he belonged in Dundee. He had been she was able to see how her treatment was
apprehended a number of times by police as progressing and to exercise choice about what
he tried desperately, despite his confusion, to was happening to her.
return there.
Suzanna’s stress levels began to decrease as
Edinburgh was simply not the place of his birth, a result of her interactions with her advocate,
besides, his sister, who still lived in Dundee, and she began to feel more supported on her
was far more likely to spend time with him if journey. She grew in confidence, learned to
only he could get back there. Instead he found organise her thinking and was able to highlight
himself stuck on a hospital ward, unable to be points and questions she wanted to raise with
supported at home because of his travelling staff. She also received quality information
adventures. Each time he left and got a coach regarding her medication.
or train he found himself back in a hospital he
didn’t want to be in.
Janine set to work exploring avenues with the
nursing staff, the social services departments
for both cities and the mental health officer, all
at George’s request.
The transfer seemed to take forever, mainly
because people were afraid for George’s safety.
However, the plan eventually came to fruition
and George was able to move to a home where
he could be supported. His closeness with his
sister had been rekindled and he is particularly
happy that he can see more of his nephews and
nieces and their young families.
13
11

15. Our Impact with Adults
In this case the advocate played a Changing the Outcomes:
bridge-building role between Suzanna and
the medical staff, modelling the concept come
of advocacy and, in effect, teaching her to Ali was brought into hospital on a short term
advocate for herself. Ben, the advocate, was detention order. He had not slept for weeks
able to demonstrate to Suzanna that she could and told the clinical team that the noises from a
get involved in decisions regarding her care nearby twenty-four hour parcel depot kept him
and treatment, and that she could express her awake. As a consequence of this he began to
own opinions. suffer from sleep deprivation and racing thoughts,
culminating in nervous exhaustion.
Nobody went to his accommodation to verify
this, and the hospital gave him a diagnosis of
schizophrenia. When he accessed Circles Network
Advocacy he was adamant that he was just tired,
and not delusional in any way.
The advocate put his views forward at ward
rounds as he was too upset and angry to attend.
We claimed on his behalf that he needed rest,
or to change his accommodation, rather than
hospitalisation. Ali was given medication, against
his wishes, and despite his insistence that he
didn’t need it.
This situation continued until his Mental Health
Eventually, Suzanna told her advocate that Officer went to visit Ali’s home and returned in full
she felt able to attend meetings and represent agreement with him and that the premises were
herself in the hospital. She was grateful for incredibly noisy.
the assistance she had received and said that
it had been better for her to be involved at Ali was relieved that other professionals finally
the start of her treatment rather than remain accepted what he was saying, he was grateful that
uninvolved and powerless. his advocate had believed him from the start. His,
consistently-stated, views had been accepted by
the advocate alone when no one else would listen
International Interest to him.
Circles Network has gained widespread
interest nationally and internationally for our As a result, his section was withdrawn, he
work. We welcomed visitors this year from was made an informal patient and the local
Australia, from Bangladesh, from India and Social Services department helped him to find
from Europe. alternative accommodation.
14

16. Our Impact with Adults, Children and Young People and Families
Dream
Dare Do
Circles Network have launched a new and
exciting way of supporting people who want an
alternative to conventional support services.
3D Community Support: Dream Dare Do!
3D Community Support:
Circles Network have been involved in driving Dream Dare Do:
the creation and implementation of a new
3D provides flexible and highly individual
system of social care, in which people will
support to help people create and implement a
control their own support, their own money
tailored Support Plan that works for them.
and their lives as valued citizens.
This system is called Self-Directed Support. Our support includes:
Person Centred Planning and Life Coaching
“First and foremost, Self-Directed
Support is about people having Building a Circle of Support
control over their lives. To have
Developing social networks and local
that overall control, people need
community opportunities
more control over their money and
support.” Empowerment to Employment training
In Control (June 2008) Support to access community based services
and facilities
3D Community Support: Dream Dare Do
has been designed specifically to empower Developing life and relationship skills to
individuals and families to understand what increase interdependence
they are entitled to and how to take as much
control as they want! Support with advocacy
The move to personalised individual budgets
is a great opportunity to promote the values of
inclusion that guide our work, for individuals to
take control of their lives and for local authorities
to streamline their services and be at the cutting
edge of building sustainable communities.
We want to hear from local authorities and trusts
that are keen to explore how we can create
partnerships to offer people wider choices of
support and from people who are looking to
15 take more control of their own life.

17. Our Impact with Adults, Children and Young People and Families
Circles Network’s experience of creative and
flexible person centred thinking and working in Joe’s
partnership with individuals, families, services
and local authorities mean we are ideally placed
Dream Dare Do Story
to provide personalised support. Joe is a young man who, through the Dream
Dare Do programme, the encouragement of his
Our experience is vast, working in
Circle of Support, and a lot of personal courage,
neighbourhoods across the UK and with people
has managed to go from living in a hostel to
of all ages and challenges.
employing his own personal assistants and living
Using Dream Dare Do! We are changing lives. in his own flat, which he rents privately.
In the South East, Circles Network worked with
From the first meeting things changed for Joe
Brighton and Hove Social Services Department
when he asked “would people be able to have a
as part of their self directed support pilot project.
cup of tea with me when we are out?”
Through the 3D Community Support: Dream
The previous agency staff had said they were
Dare Do project we supported eight young
not allowed to have a drink with him when they
people to move out of their family home,
were out shopping. He was delighted when he
creating imaginative support plans with
heard the answer was “Yes! You are the boss!”.
individuals and their families that focused on
the outcomes they really desired. Joe now has three different people in his
staff team. With the help of his mum he has
A family in Essex funded Circles Network to
employed someone to support him with
develop a Circle of Support in the classroom
cooking, budgeting and housework. He has also
for a young boy who wanted to maximise his
employed a young man the same age as him
opportunities for social interaction and to gain
to meet up with friends and socialise and has
support from his peers. The project was highly
another person to help him learn the bus and
inspirational and our Dream Dare Do tools led
train routes he wants to use. Joe chose people
to some wonderful outcomes and experiences
who shared his enthusiasm for his dream to be a
for the young boy.
self-employed artist.
This work is now informing the development
Recently Joe held an exhibition of his paintings,
of our Transition Matters training and learning
pottery and photography. His team of personal
materials.
assistants helped him to get ready for the
exhibition and his Circle helped him to invite
people.
The exhibition was a great success, everything
was sold and he received commissions. He also
made links with local artists who invited
him to exhibit his work with them.
16

18. Our Impact with Adults, Children and Young People and Families
Person centred planning tools are alive and
Person Centred active, always ensuring the focus person is
central and in control. They are flexible, setting
Planning no limits to the person’s wants, needs and
dreams for their life.
‘The Circle is hard to describe; In person centred planning the process, as well
it’s too simple’ Regina DeMarasse as the product, is owned and controlled by the
person and sometimes their closest family and
Person centred planning is at the heart of friends. There are no prescribed forms, tick boxes
all Circles Network work, we use it to inspire or checklists, which means the resulting plan
change, drive innovation and continually of support is totally individual. The plan creates
challenge and work to improve service a comprehensive portrait of who the person is
provision. and what they want to do with their life. It brings
together all of the people who are important to
Person Centred Planning is a process of life
the person including family, friends, neighbours,
planning for individuals, based around the
support workers and professionals involved in
principles of inclusion and the social model of
their lives.
disability. It is a process that is now gaining rapid
acceptance and is replacing more traditional Derived from the early work in building Circles
styles of assessment and planning based on a of Support, Circles Network aim to make
medical approach to people’s needs. these tools available to everyone through
publications, training and support.
Making Planning Work
Tim’s Circle has worked hard to put his person centred
plan together and his Circle have met over tea and
cakes, selecting photos of family and friends and
working on the things he would like to do in the
future. The Circle want to work towards supporting
Tim to realise his true potential away from being at a
day centre and to use self directed support to achieve
the things he wanted to do. The Circle of Support
has helped change his life course and has meant that t
Learning abou
Tim was able to talk to his Circle about his father’s d planning
person centre
recent death. Tim now has personal assistants who
he employs with the support of his Circle and has
stopped going to the day centre.
Inspiring
Ideas
17

19. Our Impact with Children and Young People and Families
Working
with Children
The earlier we can introduce the range of tools
and techniques applied by Circles Network, the
more dramatic the life shifting opportunities
for inclusion become. For this reason work with
children, young people and families is targeted
to expand dramatically over the next three years.
Children's Advocacy
Across the UK, wherever funding is available, we Growing trust and word of mouth amongst
are providing the following projects: young people have led to a steady increase in
requests for support and it would appear that
Circles of Support service providers are becoming increasingly
Family Empowerment – supporting disabled aware of the benefits of advocacy involvement
parents and parents of disabled children for those young people who are considered very
Friendship and Relationship Building – LG2 isolated and marginalised. With the permission
(Let’s Get Together) of young people, advocates have been able to
Peer Mentorship channel privileged information to the relevant
Person Centred Planning professionals securing both short and long
Saturday Circles term benefits for the young person. Working
Steering to Success – The Nurtured Heart with young people can be politically very
Approach sensitive and challenging, requiring great levels
Taking the Reins – Equine Facilitated Learning of tact and diplomacy in order to keep lines of
Transition Matters – CREDO communication open. The skills employed by our
advocates are evident as this area of work grows
Independent Advocacy in capacity and in its positive reputation.
for Children and Young
People
As we have threaded advocacy into children
and young people’s services there have been
challenges. But also amazing experiences of
growing relationships built on trust shared
directly from young people. Some of those
experiences relate to the transition between
children’s and adult services and have allowed
us to develop recommendations which embed
the provision of advocacy for young people at
this time. 18
16

20. Our Impact with Children and Young People and Families
Taking
the Reins
Inclusion, relationship building,
skills based learning, sustainability…
this project has it all in abundance!
Circles Network’s approach to innovation shines
out through the eyes of over 160 children who
benefitted from their involvement with ponies The children and young people learn how to safely
and horses this year. Equine Facilitated Learning, approach a horse, have an introduction into how
still unique in the UK, aims to improve the lives of to communicate with such a powerful, majestic
children through a fusion of fun, education and animal and achieve positive outcomes through
therapy. Taking the Reins is an extraordinarily a two way trusting partnership. This enables
happy place to be and in the words of children participants to gain further understanding and
who attend can be described as “heaven”, “my awareness of how their own behaviour, posture,
special safe place” and “the place I always want movement, energy, stance and voice are
to be”. The “place” of course is in the hearts important aspects of communication between
and minds of those children as, although the human and horse. This learning soon becomes
horses are based in Warwickshire, they do travel intrinsic and works well in all kinds of relationships.
to various locations so that the experience of
bonding with beautiful, intelligent and loving The journey continues with choosing mutual
equines can be shared widely. respect through grooming, leading, lunging and
many more activities including loose schooling
Participants range in age from two to eighteen. with the horse in a round pen and learning to take
We particularly welcome disabled and leadership with their chosen horse.
disadvantaged children and young people and
have just begun a separate project with adults. All of these sessions are designed to build
foundations for strong, positive relationships,
Many of the children involved have been through allowing children to grow in confidence and
loss and other experiences of early childhood self-esteem. The achievements of all
trauma and there are evident benefits of working participants are highly recognised and
“hands on” with horses who enjoy all the cuddles celebrated throughout the courses. For many
they can get. The care and welfare of the herd children Equine Facilitated Learning is very
is a big feature of this project and conversations empowering as they may feel they have little
about safety, nutrition, exercise, relaxation and control over their lives. The informal and
happiness abound. inclusive environment provided encourages
children to be expressive, confident, passionate
and most of all happy. This unique experience
19
is both lasting and valuable.

21. Our Impact with Children and Young People and Families
Creative thinkin
g
ilding
Friendship bu
Making a difference...
Carla is a young woman with a severe form of Having worked on her personal development she
epilepsy and she approached Circles Network learned how to be more assertive and confident
wanting to volunteer. As she has never entered with the horses showing a really caring nature
employment her goal was to find some part-time and thorough attitude towards her goals. She
work involving working with animals. established an excellent journal folder recording
her feelings and emotions and has now achieved
She was nervous and shy about approaching her goal to become a volunteer.
people and had spent many years unable to
explore her gifts and skills. Carla has also begun to make friends with other
young people with whom she can go out socially
Carla’s lack of communication with her peers and has been to live pop concerts in London and
had affected her self-esteem and social life as Birmingham, staying away overnight.
she didn’t have close friends.She felt that simple
elements like meeting new people, speaking on
the phone and exploring new avenues in her life
were too difficult.
Carla’s life has changed dramatically after enrolling
on the Equine Facilitated Learning project and
completing a ten week course with a trained
facilitator.
20
16
12

22. Our Impact with Children and Young People and Families
One student commented;
Peer “School never asks about personal stuff, they just
want to know I can do the work”
Mentorship He began to recognise what he is good at and
seemed proud that the group were interested.
Our peer mentorship work brought together This student believed that his achievements were
students from mainstream and special schools in only meaningful if they were of academic value;
Cambridgeshire. The project took place weekly we believe that the peer mentorship project has
during curriculum time with the aim of developing challenged this belief.
real friendships, planning for positive futures,
creating person centred portfolios and supporting Another student shared; “I used to be scared of the
peers in reviews. The project had an underlying students from the college, because one person
essence of exposing young people with learning called me a loser. I now have friends at college and
difficulties to the ‘ordinariness’ of growing up and love that they wave at me when we go over for
being a teenager in today’s world. woodwork”.
This project not only helped students to gain The work was also valued by teaching staff, a class
confidence it also offered a better understanding teacher from Highfield School in Ely felt that it
of communication and learning styles that may was…
be used by their peers or themselves. This has
been beneficial in building new friendships and “absolutely invaluable to the running
in ensuring that ALL young people have the of our person centred annual reviews
possibility to achieve, feel that they belong, for Year 9 students. Our Year 9 students
and experience being truly valued. have enjoyed, developed and matured
as a consequence of the project”.
Without doubt, a distinct outcome was that all
students benefitted by spending time together
and sharing their experiences, thoughts and
aspirations.
21

23. Our Impact with Children and Young People and Families
Family Having up to date knowledge and references can
be powerful additions to the armoury necessary
Empowerment to get the best available opportunities in place
for a disabled and disadvantaged child.
There are two different distinct strands to
our family empowerment work; the first In support of disabled parents we have
one, supporting parents, foster parents and developed specific projects across the UK.
carers to support disabled and disadvantaged In response to demand we offer the following:
children and the second strand, supporting
disabled parents and carers to support their Direct support for parents going through the
families. court system, fighting to maintain their rights to
parent, we provide assessments, viability reports
In supporting parents and carers of disabled and reviews.
children, we often become involved in
setting up Circles of Support in the school, Direct support for parents going through the
home or neighbourhood. We also provide family court system in the home, preventing
assistance in compiling person centred plans situations of crisis and coaching in parenting
or school transition reviews, involving the skills.
whole family as appropriate. We are keen
to share knowledge about the many other Developing Sustainability Circles of Support to
organisations available to offer assistance and further opportunities for parents to be included
can help parents find a path through the maze in their local communities.
of different providers to get the best outcomes
for their needs.
In some areas we have set up support or
study groups, we also have an exciting
programme for parents and carers of children
who challenge, known as the Nurtured Heart
Approach.
Rio’s master piece 22

24. Our Impact with Children and Young People and Families
Families Forward
Our Family Empowerment Project in West Sussex,
Motherhood
supported eight families with disabled parents Maria gave us a resounding testimony in her
who have attended family court hearings. This own words following the successful outcome
project recently produced a Parents Charter and of a twelve week parenting assessment.
a list of recommendations for changes that could
be made in public services. Five of the families “When I started working with Circles
involved now have ongoing Circles of Support. Network I had no confidence, I was on
Family Empowerment Wales, is funded directly
antidepressants and just kept thinking
through the Welsh Assembly has enabled fifteen
I was going to lose my son. I would
families to receive the support they required to
agree to anything Social Services said,
improve their parenting skills. All of those families
I was not allowed to be with my son
had experienced the painful trauma of separation
on my own.
from their children and are now at least back
in regular touch and in some cases completely
Circles helped me to learn how to
reunited.
cook, gave me more confidence in
myself and gave me more ideas about
what to do with my son at different
Steering to Success ages. The people from Circles Network
were there to listen and they were
Funded by the Dulverton Trust, this innovative really good. They would be really
project was the first of its kind to bring learning fantastic for other people too.
about the Nurtured Heart approach to parents in
the UK. More about the approach can be found Now I have lots of confidence, I stand
in our section about the work of the Academy for up for myself in meetings and not
Inspiring Inclusion. behave like a mouse. I now have my
Parents of children who challenge are typically own house and live with my son on my
given very few alternatives to medication as a own and I can do everything and go
solution. Already overwrought and tired this anywhere”.
option is often taken up in desperation. By
providing the techniques of the Nurtured Heart
approach, many of the parents involved in Steering
to Success found that their children’s behaviour
improved rapidly, making a difference to the whole
family.
The project has designed specific teaching aids
in the form of a box set of cards and a set of
recommended books and these are available
to help parents and practitioners.
23

25. Our Impact with Children and Young People and Families
Angela, a Circles Network Coordinator, met the couple
Andrea and worked with the family over a number of weeks.
and Thomas’ Story She was invited by the couple to attend court, core
meetings and a case conference, as well as visiting
Andrea and Thomas are in their 40s, and have a their home a number of times.
young child in early primary education. They are
a lovely family and their child is the focus of their Supporting Andrea and Thomas to put together their
life. All Andrea wanted, was to be a mother and own person centred plan, Angela helped the couple
enjoy parenting. Thomas from the start loved begin to take control. Both Andrea and Thomas felt
being a father and was the main carer for their that they had never had their strengths and skills
child in the early months, looking after Andrea acknowledged until they had a plan. They now use
and the baby. their person centred plan at all core meetings.
The couple felt the early months were “the best “We have never had such positive things
time of our lives”. When their child was one, said about our family; it has given us the
Andrea felt she needed some support, as she was confidence to continue to do the best for
finding some parenting issues difficult. Their GP our child.”
referred her to Social Services, with the idea that
they had the resources to help the family. Circles Network’s
Parent’s Charter
Over the next four years 13 social workers
worked with the family, each doing their own At the core of all our work with parents are our
assessment and focusing on Andrea’s learning guiding principles:
difficulty rather than providing the help they
needed. All parents should be listened to.
Andrea and Thomas attended parenting All parents should be respected and valued.
classes, but found them to be unhelpful and
confusing. Andrea said she would have found All parents should be involved in planning for
one-to-one home parenting visits more help, their children.
as she would remember more and feel more
comfortable about asking questions. A home All parents should feel welcomed by services
visit was arranged from a support worker with that support them.
this in mind, but it again seemed more like an
assessment. All parents should be able to have support to
be good parents.
This was very distressing to the family as a whole,
making parenting even more of a challenge. All parents should have the support they need
Andrea, as a result, suffered from depression if they are going through family courts.
and was prescribed antidepressants. The family
after four years were left intimidated, powerless, These principles came from our Families
confused and exhausted. Forward project; they were put together
by the parents involved in the project.
24

26. Leadership and Empowerment
Academy
for Inspiring:
New to The Academy
Inclusion
The Nurtured Heart Approach to
New
The Academy for Inspiring Inclusion has been Challenging Behaviour (ADHD)
established to drive the value of inclusion
through all our training and learning delivery The Nurtured Heart Approach is a revolutionary
work and to help us share our experiences and new way of reducing challenging behaviours
expertise. such as ADHD and is widely practised
throughout the United States.
Circles Network has developed many highly
effective methods and inspirational techniques The approach steers away from managing
through the support they have given individuals. behaviour and prescribing medication and
We are now keen to ensure that we share these focuses on a positive approach to channel
resources, tools and techniques with other people’s energy into more creative pursuits.
professionals. We have many new and exciting
developments underway as well as plans to Circles Network are proud to have some of
develop our current suite of courses into the country’s few trained practitioners on the
highly accessible self study packs to improve Academy’s training team and would encourage
accessibility. anyone that would like to learn these skills to
get in touch.
The Academy’s portfolio includes:
New Majestic Achievement
Inclusion Matters
Circles of Support Circles Network developed a new training
Person Centred Planning and Life Building course in 2009 aimed at personal development
Transition Matters – CREDO and positive business solutions at management
Friendship and Relationship Building level.
Disability Equality Training
Managers from all walks of life were invited to
Equine Facilitated Learning
develop skills and strategies through equine
Partners in Policymaking
facilitation that will help them to reflect on
Peer Mentorship
and refine their own strategies and talents as
Measuring Up
managers of people.
The Academy also specialises in providing
training in self-directed support for both Delivered by Mandy Neville and Emma
professional practitioners and for people Knowles, who are both experienced in high
wanting to direct their own support. level management and have an extensive
equine knowledge. The course is being
described as offering a genuine wow factor
25 and will be offered again in 2010.

27. Leadership and Empowerment
Independent
Advocacy
Advocacy is one of the foundations upon which
Circles Network was founded along with justice,
empowerment and relationships.
Perhaps because, until recently, we have been
best acknowledged for the development of
relationships through Circles of Support, the
advocacy element of our work has gone largely
unnoticed. However, our reputation in this field
has grown steadily since we were contracted to Now we are confident that we have a wealth of
provide independent advocacy in Glasgow as practical experience and knowledge which we
long ago as 2001. could share for the benefit of other advocates
and ultimately for the benefit of those who
Since then we have continued to grow and need advocacy.
develop our advocacy skills alongside people
with mental health challenges in Glasgow, Through the Academy for Inspiring Inclusion
Edinburgh and now also in Fife. we will soon be launching a range of learning
opportunities related to advocacy and which
The introduction of mental health legislation consider the social, technical, legal and policy
which enshrines the individual’s right to requirements of the role.
advocacy has seen massive growth in the area
of provision and there is clearly a need for more The concept of advocacy is simple but in
learning opportunities for those who choose this practice it can be a highly complex challenge!
demanding but rewarding career pathway.
Initially we developed courses in advocacy
which were for the benefit of our team of
advocates.
26

28. Leadership and Empowerment
Nurtured
Heart Approach
In 2009 Circles Network hosted the Nurtured
Heart Approach Course the first of its kind In
England. Two events were run in Manchester
aimed at parents, carers, teachers and
professionals.
People travelled from around the world to
attend the course run by Howard Glasser and
Tom Groves, experts that have extensively Practitioners have had extraordinary results in
researched alternative methods for reducing helping parents and teachers to quickly succeed
difficult behaviour in the classroom and home. in becoming extraordinarily skilful and effective in
It was an inspiring week with overwhelming helping children to achieve wonderful new levels
feedback and convinced Circles Network to add of competency…almost always without the need
this learning experience to courses offered by for medications or long-term treatment.
The Academy.
Many professional practitioners believe that a
The Nurtured Heart child’s intensity is a problem that needs to be
Training Experience treated with medications and made to go away.
Earlier this year, parents, foster carers and The Nurtured Heart technique puts parents and
professionals from across the UK and from teachers into the driver’s seat and gives them the
health & social care, education and the perspective and strategies to shift children into
voluntary sectors were immersed in the using their intensity in beautiful ways.
Nurtured Heart technique by Kathryn B. Sherrod
Ph.D, Clinical Psychologist and experienced Ordinary methods of parenting and teaching
Nurtured Heart Practitioner from Tennessee typically backfire with intense children. Despite
and Brenda Richardson, Foster Carer and the best of intentions, the more adults attempt
experienced Nurtured Heart Practitioner from normal responses, the worse the situation can
Manchester. This is how Kathryn and Brenda inadvertently become.
describe the Nurtured Heart Approach and what
you can gain from the training experience. The culprits are the methods most people have at
their disposal…not the parents, teacher, therapist
Nurtured Heart is an amazing set of strategies or the child. Approaches designed for the average
developed specifically for children with ADHD child are not powerful or encompassing enough.
and other challenging behaviours to facilitate
parenting and classroom success. These Instead of believing that you get a great deal more
methods have helped thousands of families to from adults through negativity and that positive
transform their child from using their intensity choices are a less certain bet, the child is moved to
in primarily negative ways to believing that he or she can fully invest energy and
using their intensity in beautifully intelligence in successes.
27 creative and constructive ways.

29. Leadership and Empowerment
Identifying how to enable challenging Benefits from attending the Nurtured Heart
children to thrive, the Nurtured Heart learning programme include:
Approach is a powerful and quick way to
create a new scenario of success and it has Learning about yourself and your reactions so
achieved national acclaim for its results with you can maintain a calmer approach.
children who have been diagnosed with: Preparation for a total mind shift - a life
change!
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Understanding why conventional methods of
(ADHD) parenting and teaching often fail with intense
Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) children.
Learning ways to enable challenging children
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
to use their intensity in creative ways.
Reactive Attachment Disorder
Identifying how to enable challenging
Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) children to thrive.
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Other abuse, neglect and chaos related What our delegates have said:
syndromes
Autism. ‘It has been a great learning experience
all round and I want to take it forward
in many aspects of my life’.
‘That I can change and in doing so,
it may hopefully help family life and
relationships within the family unit’.
hardson
Brenda Ric lived experience
shares her
Kathy Sherrod visit
professor from the ing
USA
28

30. Leadership and Empowerment
Person Centred Planning and
Lifebuilding
Although Circles Network have been delivering The six day Person Centred Planning and Life
Person Centred Planning Courses for 15 Building Programme is Circles Network’s most
years this is a continually evolving and fresh popular programme. Open courses are available
programme that is constantly enriched with the across the country throughout 2010. Circles
team’s experiences of disability and promoting Network also run bespoke courses to meet
inclusion. This six day course provides an organisation’s particular needs.
in depth exploration of the values, skills, We are currently working with Edexcel to ensure
approaches and tools that can be used with this programme achieves nationally recognised
individuals to create fluid, colourful and truly accreditation.
original life plans. During 2009 we ran events
nationwide, with a significant take up in Suffolk What our delegates say:
where we have trained over 200 facilitators
many of whom now contribute to the many “Excellent, with a lot of relevant
Circles of Support at work across the county.The information that I can take back
work of the team in Suffolk attracted great praise and apply to my work and myself.”
from the partnership board and social services.
29

31. Leadership and Empowerment
Circles Network Circles of Sustainability
Moving Forward Climate change and the inevitable need to move to
a low carbon economy will potentially present new
Circles Network is poised on the verge of some ways in which individuals can be disadvantaged
new and very exciting projects as we move and disengaged from society. Using a unique
into 2010. These are projects that will drive our Circle of Support approach Circles Network will
practitioner and management skills to new be working with communities to understand the
heights, requiring new understanding and implications and opportunities created by the
innovative methodologies and placing the move to a low carbon economy, and to drive the
organisation in a unique position. community to work to reduce their collective
carbon footprint.
BBC Digital Switchover
Help Scheme Professional Advocacy
Training and Development
Circles Network will be working with the BBC
and Digital Outreach to provide advocacy and Circles Network has embarked on a programme
information relating to the switchover from to gain national accreditation for The Academy’s
analogue to digital television in 2010. Television training programmes, working both with
can often play a vital role in preventing loneliness Edexcel and a UK University. As part of this work,
or isolation and for many the loss of signal could development has begun on a range of advocacy
be potentially detrimental to their wellbeing. qualifications with the aim of delivering a
This innovative new project will allow Circles professional pathway from Level 2 through to a
Network to work with individuals who require Masters programme. This will be the first suite of
support during the switchover due to issues of age, qualifications in advocacy in the country.
disability and isolation.
Person Centred Service
Timebanking in the
Evaluation Interactive and
South East of England
Online
Through our work with Circles of Support, we
have begun to look for new ways to recognise Circles Network is extending the potential of its
the contribution our volunteers make to our IPSI evaluation tool by taking this highly impactful
work and the local community. The Timebank and effective process online. The methodology
project seeks to address this by setting up a has been trialled and tested across many settings
system where people in the community can and with a wide range of professionals and people
exchange their time and skills with one another who use services. Creating an online version
by using ‘Timebank Credits’. It is hoped that this now adds a new dimension to the framework by
will extend our network of Circles to reach across improving access, adding new levels of guidance
whole communities and encourage a new kind of for practitioners and providing data for
equaliser, beyond status and money. strategic management.
30

32. Independent Auditors’ - Statement
Independent Respective
Auditors' - responsibilities of
trustees and auditors
Statement
The trustees are responsible for preparing the
Impact Report.
To the Trustees
of Circles Network Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion
on the consistency of the summary financial
We have examined the summary financial statement within the Impact Report with the full
statement of Circles Network for the year ended annual accounts and the Trustees’ Report. We
31 March 2009 which comprise the statement also read the other information contained in the
of financial activities, the balance sheet and the Impact Report and consider the implications for
related notes. our report if we become aware of any apparent
misstatements or material inconsistencies with
This report is made to the charity’s trustees, the summary financial statement.
as a body, in accordance with the terms of our You are responsible as trustees for the
engagement. Our work has been undertaken preparation of the summary financial statement.
so that we might state to the charity’s trustees We have agreed to report to you our opinion on
those matters that we have agreed to state in the summarised statement’s consistency with the
this report and for no other purpose. To the full financial statements, on which we reported to
fullest extent permitted by law, we do not you on 11 November 2009.
accept or assume responsibility to anyone other
than the charity and the charity’s trustees, as a
body, for our work or for this report.
Basis of opinion
We conducted our work in accordance with
Bulletin 1999/6 ‘The auditors’ statement on the
summary financial statement’ issued by the
Auditing Practices Board for use in the United
Kingdom.
31

33. Independent Auditors’ - Statement
For further information, the full annual accounts
Opinion and the auditors’ report and the trustees’ report
on those accounts should be consulted.
In our opinion the summary financial statement
is consistent with the full annual accounts and Copies of the full accounts are available from
the Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31 March Circles Network registered office
2009.
Circles Network,
Potford’s Dam Farm,
Coventry Road,
Cawston,
Rugby,
Warwickshire,
CV23 9JP
Mazars LLP
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors These summary accounts do not constitute full
The Broadway, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4PY accounts within the meaning of the Companies
Act 1985 and the Charities Act 1993.
11 December 2009
A copy of the statutory accounts of the charity,
Financial Summary upon which the auditors have reported without
qualification, will be delivered to both Companies
House and the Charity Commission.
The trustees confirm that the accounts on
these pages are a summary of the information
extracted from the full annual accounts, which Approved by the trustees
were approved on the 11 November 2009.
The summary accounts may not contain
and signed on their behalf:
sufficient information to allow for a full
understanding of the financial affairs of
the charity.
Eric Adams, Chairman
32

34. Statement of Financial Activities
Statement of Financial Activities
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
2009 2009 2009 2008
for the Year Ended 31st March 2009 £ £ £ £
Incoming Resources
Incoming resources from generated
funds:
Voluntary income 29,027 - 29,027 28,329
Investment income 4,782 - 4,782 8,301
Incoming resources from charitable 627,784 902,089 1,529,873 1,683,499
activities
Total Incoming Resources 661,593 902,089 1,563,682 1,720,129
Resources Expended
Costs of generating funds: 9,114 - 9,114 19,809
Charitable activities: 653,990 833,948 1,487,938 1,693,746
Governance costs: 11,456 - 11,456 12,018
Total Resources Expended 1, 1,9
674,560 833,948 1,508,508 1,725,573
Net Incoming/(Outgoing)
Resources for the Year ( 12,967) 68,141 55,174 ( 5,444)
Decrease/ Increase in value of investments - - - ( 8,946)
Balance transfers ( 7,592) 7,592 - -
Net Movement In Funds ( 20,559) 75,733 55,174 ( 14,390)
Total funds at 1 April 2008 391,850 119,784 511,634 526,024
Total Funds At 31 March 2009 371,291 195,517 566,808 511,634
33

35. Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet at 31 March 2009
2009 2008
Fixed Assets £ £
Tangible assets 36,428 27,639
Current Assets
Debtors and prepayments 159,949 173,142
Investments 212,473 202,883
Cash at bank and in hand 216,908 187,283
589,330 563,308
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 12 months (58,950) (79,313)
Net Current Assets 530,380 483,995
Total Assets less current liabilities 566,808 511,634
Unrestricted Funds
General funds 132,994 162,342
Designated funds 238,297 229,508
Restricted Funds 195,517 119,784
Total Funds 566,808 511,634
34

36. Contact Us:
Circles Network,
Potford’s Dam Farm,
Coventry Road,
Cawston,
Rugby, Circles Network
CV23 9JP building inclusive communities
01788 816 671
www.circlesnetwork.org.uk
information@circlesnetwork.org.uk
© Copyright Circles Network Company No: 2972700 Scotland Charity No: SCO38068 Charity No: 1043601