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2025

18/03/2025 7:02pm – 7:16pm (approx.) Meeting at Zoom

 

Little People UK 2025 – Annual General Meeting

 

Chaired by – Andrew Smith – 2024/25 Chairperson

 

MEETING STARTED at 7:02pm

 

  1. Attendance:

Present

(see appendix 1 – not included online for GDPR reasons)

 

  1. Welcome

AS thanked everyone for attending and set out how the AGM will run. 

Attendees were made aware of reaction buttons for purposes of voting as this is taking place online. 

 

  1. Minutes from last years AGM

It was stated that the minutes from the 2024 AGM have been available for members perusal online and registration. 

No feedback had been given and it is required that these minutes are voted on.

  • No objections from the membership were given on the day, therefore motion carried and minutes accepted. 
  1. Review from the chair

Andrew Smith read the chairs review. (See below)

 

Today I am prouder than ever to deliver the annual Chair’s report, it has been quite a year for LPUK. We now have around 200 members, national and international and this is ever increasing.

We have received over 200 enquiries via email and phone call about a variety of topics including school, new parents/families, organisations wanting support etc.

We have been able to secure our first core funding grant from Children in Need for our Charity Administrator position, as well as National Lotto Community Funding for the 2024 Convention, and our amazing members for whom this charity runs, have fundraised over £15,000 since last year 

Little People UK has been very busy this year: firstly our 2 National Events (with 2 new doctors and 4 new expo companies welcomed on top of others) 

We have held seminars with RNIB, Victim Support Wales and PD Network to raise awareness of LPUK and dwarfism 

As well as online and regional meet ups throughout the year, attendance at Reggae and Riddim Festival, Driving Mobility Conference, Motability track testing day, Naidex and Dwarfism Awareness Month seminar at University of South Wales 

So what does 2025 look like: well we are working to update our website, increase school visits, updating midwife module, working with Newport and Blackpool museum. Attend more expos and conferences (e.g. Feel The Force Day, Parallel)

And most importantly increase the number of regional meet-ups for members old and new.

This is only the beginning of our next chapter and I look forward to seeing everyone and watching LPUK flourish in 2025.

 

Andrew Smith hands to Stuart Walker for Treasurers review. 

  1. Report and Accounts

Stuart Walker gave a review of the financial year, stating full accounts can be viewed on request. (See below) 

2023/24 deficit was nearly £9,000 and was made up from reserves 

2024/25 is looking healthy due to the National Lotto Community Fund – helped towards the 2024 Annual Convention, Children in Need Grant – which is a 3 year core cost grant, there was a donation from Joy Rainey’s legacy of £30,000. Giving around 5 years of stability, however fundraising is imperative to continue this beyond. 

Sammy’s Helping Hands raised around £40,000 of restrictive funds to support children and younger members of LPUK towards education grants, equipment etc. Coming into effect at the start of the next financial year in June. 

Accounts are to be voted on. 

A proposer and seconder for these accounts was requested – 

  • Proposer: E-JB
  • Seconder: AD
  • Attendee vote: No objections from the membership were given on the day, therefore motion carried and accounts accepted.
  1. Election of Officers – 

Andrew Smith stated that all Trustees step down at each AGM, the first process is for Officers to be voted on. All nomination below have been proposed and seconded. 

It was passed to Danielle Webb to undertake the nomination of chairperson to avoid conflict of interest.

  • Andrew Smith has been nominated as chairperson with no opposition. 
  • No objections from the membership were given, therefore motion carried and Chairperson position accepted.

Andrew Smith returns to chair the meeting. 

  • Danielle Webb has been nominated as vice chairperson with no opposition. 

No objections from the membership were given, therefore motion carried and Vice Chairperson position accepted.

  • Stuart Walker has been nominated as treasurer with no opposition. 

No objections from the membership were given, therefore motion carried and Treasurer position accepted.

  1. Election of Committee – 

Andrew Smith stated that the following trustees had been nominated for election on to the committee and will be voted as a block: 

  • Charlie McGreal
  • Laura Smith
  • Michelle Webb
  • Charlotte Thorneycroft
  • Gabriele Boyle
  • Simeon Dyer
  • Annabelle Davis
  • Harrison Davis 
  • Charlie Kingsley-Jones
  • No objections from the membership were given, therefore motion carried and committee positions accepted.

Thanks to retiring committee members were given. 

 

  1. Questions from members

It was stated that no questions from the membership were received prior to the AGM and attendees present were offered the opportunity to ask questions, none were asked on the day. 

Andrew Smith thanked all for attending and stated he is looking forward to working with the committee and membership over the next 12 months to continue the work of Little People UK. 

AGM FINISHED at 7:16pm