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2024-03-31-accounts

VOICE OF DALIT INTERNATIONAL (VODL ) (Reg.Charity No. 1078764)

ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIVITIES.

2023-2024

ICG House, Station Approach Greenford London UB6 OAL Tel/ Fx: 00 44 20 8813 2380 Email: vodi@vodintl org.uk Web: www.vodintl.org.uk

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VOICE OF DALIT INTERNATIONAL (Reg. No.1078764)

REPORT OF THE YEAR 2023-24

Over the Bank Holiday weekend of 6th May 2023, the nation were in holiday mood; despite the inclement weather, the Coronation of King Charles II and Queen Camilla was celebrated across the country with televised pageantry, concerts and neighbourhood street parties.

The Government continued to face still growing challenges with real public concern on the cost of living, high energy costs, inflation, and workers’ strikes continuing over work conditions and overdue pay awards. Families continued to struggle with costs, with increasing numbers needing to use food banks and public warm spaces during the cold months. Once again, school closures due to the strikes affected children's learning.

We continued to run Reading School sessions [term time] from Greenford Park Community Hall: on Mondays from 4-5.30pm for Primary school children, and Wednesdays from 4-6pm for High School students. [Read more under ‘Working Locally].

Christian Network Against Caste Discrimination [CNACD], of which VODI is a steering group member, continued its meetings and events through Zoom, facilitating people to take part more widely from different locations, from London, England and Scotland and also from India. Additional to the core meetings, we also held 2 eye opening webinars [Read more under ‘Working Nationally / Internationally’). "Working Locally’: [West London Borough of Ealing] i] VODI Supplementary School for Reading and Literacy [Reading School]: Our Reading School [RS] reaches out to non - English speaking, low income families from deprived wards across Southall and the surrounding area, providing additional English and Maths support for 15' generation school children from 5 - 16 years. RS also: provides older High school peers with supervised teaching, volunteering and ‘work experience’ style opportunities, giving a sense of

the workplace and enhancing future employability skills and; importantly is a social space where young people can meet together regularly. Primary sessions [Mondays]:

This year has been particularly challenging with patchy attendance from students dropping in and out of sessions, caused largely by schools offering extra ‘catch up’ classes which have clashed with our sessions. From September - December 23 we averaged 24 students per session. From January 2024 attendance dropped, particularly in Year 6 due to school offering extra support for children taking their KS 2 SATS in May. Irregular attendance also caused disruption for staff with lesson planning and affected overall session planning. We reviewed our lesson planning using CGP tutorials across all age groups as used in mainstream schools. Currently, in English we improve reading ability and increase identifying what questions are being asked about the text through graded Comprehension papers which children find “challenging. Comprehension papers also improve language, grammar and spelling, and offer a wide range of literature subjects with extracts from well - known book classics, poems, and plays. Together with Year group learning, we also provided one to one support to increase children's understanding and targeted support to address any learning gaps which children may have. In Maths, we tested and reinforced children’s knowledge with Year Objectives and progress tests, and again focussed on children having sound knowledge of times tables, and addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. Children also enjoyed the challenge of regular spelling, mental maths, and general knowledge tests. Primary sessions have been partly supported by a 3 year grant from Young Ealing Foundation's Supplementary Schools funding, and also from small affordable fees from parents.

ii] Young People’s Forum for Education and_ Skills [High School]: Wednesdays Our sessions have continued to help students to improve all aspects of KS 3 and 4 in English Literature and Language and Mathematics. Example Tutor Report [1]: English, Year 9. ‘In the summer term, the Year 9 students honed their skills for English Language Paper 1 through the critical examination of diverse texts encompassing fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and media articles. By analyzing a wide range of texts, students refined their ability to

Wednesdays

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evaluate information effectively. Furthermore, through guided discussions and close reading exercises, students learned to extract meaning, identify persuasive techniques, and craft coherent arguments supported by textual evidence. Additionally, students thoroughly enjoyed their learning experience, finding it both enjoyable and beneficial. The engaging and interactive nature of the lessons made learning fun, while the practical skills acquired proved invaluable in their academic journey’. Example Tutor Report [2], Maths, Years 7 + 9: ‘In Mathematics, a key focus was on mastering foundational algebraic concepts, particularly understanding basic algebra and expanding brackets. These skills were emphasised due to their significance for future years at GCSE level. By laying a solid groundwork in algebra, students were better prepared to tackle more advanced mathematical topics, setting them up for success in their GCSE studies and beyond. In Mathematics, Year 9 students focused on percentages and trigonometry, two fundamental concepts with broad applications in the real-world. By mastering percentages, students developed the ability to interpret data, analyze trends, and solve problems involving proportions and ratios. Additionally, the introduction to trigonometry laid the groundwork for understanding geometric relationships which is vital in GCSE Mathematics’. . This year Reading School has provided 12 references to support personal applications which staff and volunteers have made: 3 graduates taking up NHS careers; securing 1 University degree place for Children's Nursing, and another for Msc FT Physician Associate Studies; securing a University placement at a local Nursery: 2 for part time weekend / holiday jobs and; 2 A level students supporting their school charitable activities and also their University application statements. During this reporting period, we were unexpectedly requested by a group of our Polish parents about possibilities for an additional Year 7 group on Mondays when we run our Primary session, as their children moving up from Year 6 were unable to attend our High School session on Wednesdays. From September 2023 we trialed a group of 4 Year 7 students, which worked well with regular student attendance and which grew to 5 students over the year. This has helped us to consider blending our 2 sessions into 1, as we look at options beyond our current funding grants for future sustainability of sessions.

Also, during this year, 3 of our long term, leading staff members graduated from University degree courses, with all 3 starting careers in the NHS; as a Radiographer, an Occupational Therapist, and one taking up her 1st post as a Health Advisor, on her journey to becoming a Junior Doctor / GP. We are very proud of their achievements and believe that their experience at Reading School has supported them towards their career goals.

High School sessions have been fully supported from a 3 year main development grant from John Lyon's Charity. Below we reflect on the whole grant period: ‘When we look back to when we first envisaged the project design, the actual implementation of it is much different due to the onslaught of the COVID 19 pandemic in Year 1, the Cost of Living crisis which quickly followed in Year 2, and the effects of both still impacting Year 3. When we first applied for funding support prior to the pandemic, we simply envisaged the further growth and development of an educational forum for high school students. In reality the pandemic lockdowns and restrictions determined starting project sessions online and face to face sessions only being allowed to start much later. During this time, students had suffered severe disruptions to their education due to school closures and isolation from friends and schools support, that by the time restrictions lifted and limited face to face sessions allowed, the social aspect of our project was ever more important to restore students happiness and well being as well as bridging gaps in missed learning. No-one could have envisaged the pandemic and its effects. However during this time, Tutors maintained their enthusiasm to help students to keep up with their school work, learned new methods of online teaching to keep them engaged and motivated with both students and staff greatly enjoying meeting up online. This supported all of them through the pandemic. Staff showed great resilience and flexibility during this time. With face to face sessions resuming in Year 2, we envisaged the recovery period to quickly build up and everything also return to normal very quickly. In reality, due to ongoing restrictions and guidance we re-opened in a very limited and cautious way and could only build up slowly and at a pace which parents, students and staff were comfortable with. We felt it was a great achievement to restore face to face sessions, and it was wonderful to restart interactive activities again such as whole group debates and quizzes, and discussion between staff and students within

their year groups. Again staff showed great leadership and flexibility as they targeted areas of student's missed learning. In Years 2 and Year 3 our project was further set back due to a cost of living crisis affecting: lower student numbers than originally envisaged;: many families struggling with skyrocketing energy and food costs: unavailability of staff having to take up part time work to support university costs and parent's finances; our organisational admin costs rising due to resulting high inflation, as we consider the project's future sustainability’

‘Working Nationally’:

Christian Network Against Caste Discrimination [CNACD]: The Network, chaired by Fr Gerard Mitchell SJ, continued to meet regularly through Zoom, for discussion and reflection on Dalit / caste issues in UK and abroad, particularly India. Throughout this reporting year, we held 6 general, planning and evaluation meetings. We met to reflect on the ‘Synodality’ document and continue to take it forward. We also held 2 very interesting webinars on ‘Caste and the Indian Church’ and ‘The Crisis in Manipur.’ Christian Network Against Caste Discrimination was able to continue supporting the Dalit Desk Co-ordinator role with additional funding support from Sisters Jose [Justice + Peace], to carry out research into numbers of Dalits in UK / those directly affected by Caste discrimination in the UK. An additional donation from a benefactor in USA also enabled the Network to further develop its activities. VODI continues to be a member of British Overseas NGOs in Development [BOND]: BOND Working Group on ‘Caste and Development’: The Caste and Development steering group periodically met twice online during this reporting year. Christian Network's Dalit Desk Co-ordinator additionally co-ordinated the BOND meetings. UK Caste legislation campaign / UK Dalit Diaspora groups: Diaspora Groups continue to be watchful of any political movement which may affect the Caste legislation.

’

Reserves:

VODI Trustees consider it unnecessary to set a Reserves Policy as the organisation's activities are run largely under Restricted funded projects and with good housekeeping and sound financial management practices in place. The organisation benefits from ‘in kind’ support of 2 long term, full time staff members who manage the day to day administration and oversee projects and activities. The organisation benefits from donations and contributions from Trustees and supporters to meet essential overheads. It also benefits from the support and contributions of volunteers. This practice is reviewed annually.

Memberships:

Local: Young Ealing Foundation [YEF]; National Resource Centre for Supplementary Education [NRCSE]; Ealing Council for Voluntary Services [ECVS]: Southall Community Alliance [SCA]. National; CasteWatchUK. International: British Overseas NGOs in Development [BOND].

Our Board of Trustees are: Mrs. Irene Culas Chair] Mr Shrikant Borkar [Treasurer] Fr. Gerard Mitchell SJ. Dr. Peter J David International Trustee: Mr. George VJ. India During the year we held numerous Trustee meetings [Zoom].

During this period, we would particularly like to thank:

Our Funders: Local [West London Borough of Ealing]: John Lyon's Charity [Main grant]: 3 years Development support for our Southall Young People’s Forum for Education and Skills project (High

School]. Young Ealing Foundation: Supplementary Schools Grant: Continued support for our supplementary school [VODI Reading School: Primary]. National: Christian Network Against Caste Discrimination [CNACD]: Sisters of St Jose [Justice and Peace]: Research grant ‘Dalits in UK’ Donation: Eileen Samuel,USA

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Our long-term supporters: Mr. George Maman; Mr. G. Conroy: Mr Raj Mohan Thampi.

The reporting year’s Annual Income and Expenditure Statement is Independently Examined and forms part of this Annual Report.

With our sincere thanks to all who were directly and indirectly associated with the work of Voice of Dalit International [VODI] during this reporting year, this report is presented to the Board of Trustees.

Eugene Culas [Director]

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Independent examiner's report on the a 4 accounts

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Section A lndepondont Examinor'a Report
Reportcoon to the thiatoon/
members
of | VOICE OF DALITINTERNATIONAL (VOD)
On accounta for the yoat Charity no | 1078/64
ended | 31"! MARCH 2024 (if any)
Set out on pages | 1705
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Name: |CAROL FLORINE MENEZES
Relevant professional |
qualification(s) or body ACA (Membership Number: 264560)
(if any):
aae aan
1 March 2012
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IER.

| CG House Station Approach, Off Oldfield Ln N, London,

Section B

Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems,

NOT APPLICABLE

IER

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March 2012

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Voice of Dalit International (VODI) (Charity No. 1078764) Income and Expenditure Statement for the Year 1% April 2023 to 31** March 2024

|Particulars
Notes |Unrestrict |Restricted |2024 Total | 2023 Total
ed Funds | Funds [£] |
[ £]
[ £]| |---| |[£]
La
[StandingOrders
s—iTSCi)ST_Si160.00
|
0.00|
160.00|
170.00 |
[Donations/Contributions | 2] | 6305.15|
0.00 | 6305.15|
0.00 |
|Benevity/Charita leGiving | 3 —|=~ 300.00]
|
300.00
337.50
(Cash-InContributions
| AY|
1584.20
0.00|
1584.20]
1321.45 |
Fes
ad
Uplift GrantSa
Living Uplift Grant
Reading School Fees
| 5] |
1526.00]
0.00 |
1526.00|
3738.00 |
In-kindContributions(forservicesof | 8] [54912007
0.00| $4912.00 | 5595150)
Director
& Administrator
(Sub-Total
CiTSCSSC«dSCi«éA787.35|
000|
6787.35| 63518.00
GG
[ProjectContributions
|BT
|
earenaram aster Pesce] TT]
008] Sn me
Christian Network
eee
| | | 3)
Supplementary
School Grant[Yr2]
igh Lyon's Charity [Main Grane]__|____{
0.00*1_0.00|_0.00.| tn opa0
|Arnold Clark CommunityGrant |
|
0
|
0.00;0.00
|~—_—i1,000.00 || |[Balance BroughtForward
| =D |~———i000 | 2518392|
2518392 | _27368.54 || |ns GQ
‘ResourcesExpended
|
|
CF
-Cost of Generating Funds:| Pf
et at ant|
Office/SessionRelated
rij
5202.47;
0.00|
5292.47|
2321.45 |
FBankCharges——YY S147.82]\
0.00|\
147.82]\
133.93 |\
[Telephone/Communication\
| siti] |—*'1380.87]\
0.00| 1380.87]\
820.53 |\
[Travel/TravelRelated\
| ivy|~—«874.00|\
0.00\
874.00]\
900.50|\
fAuditFes\
—s—~—~sSCSsCYdYSSCSC«A20.00 **|**\
**0**.00|\
420.00|\
420**.**00 |\
[Postage & Stationary\
dTSi) S258\
00]\
32.58]\
27 50\
/Membership\
ss\
——~—~—SCnd T6000,\
0.00|\
160.00]\
0.00\
|Sub-total\
—s—s—~—C~sSs Ci] | 8307.74|\
0.00|\
8307.74 |\
4623.90 |\
[>a
ed dl ld
Administrator:
Total Cost of Generating Funds | G | 63219.74/
0.00|—63219.74|60575.00|| |Purposes
(E-G
PO
ee
ee
ee
CharitableExpenses:Projects|1|
[of|

1

|GG
1. John Lyon’s Charity (Main
1]
2c
Forum for Education & Skills’
[Tutors
—“‘—é‘“SSSC~sYSCSC“‘YSYESCCCSCOO
4788.85]
4788.85)
6236.50 |
FInsurance—i—i‘“‘;™SCsSCSYSYSC
SOOT
493.80]
493.80)
442.63 |
FNRCSE—“=‘“‘:‘CSSCSC~C~C~SCSCésKN)
|
0.00 | 100.00|
100.00)
0.00
[AdminSupport
—<—té‘dTSSC
|
0
4368.00)
4368.00|
3432. 0 |
(Bro—“SSCCCCTCi
0
92.1 |
92.01|
181.50 |
[Venue
—<“—~~~~~~~C~~CC—C~sCSCéYT
SC |
840.00)
840.00|
786.00|
[AfterSchoolSnacks
Si) |=
0.00 | 722.87
722.87|
796.51 |
| Tutorials/Computer Repair 125.00]| viii)
0.
1 5.00)
1 5 00]
31 83
[Stationary
—“‘“‘érSSCiXYYTO12
|
43.89|
[OffieRent
TX)
0.00 | 1548.00]
1548.00 |
1548.00 |
(‘Sub-Total
Cd
|
00| 1314065
1340 65
1499.0
DO
oe
Supplementary
School Grant
‘Tutors
—“—~—s~sSC“‘i‘HT
0
2348.94 |
23.48.94|
840.00 |
[Vene
—
—“—s‘“CS~s~srSCSC‘iaHKW)T_T
540.00|
540.00]
281.60 |
[AfterSchool Snacks ———idSCSStt)|
000 | 8ST
8ST|
|Sub-Total
sis
Total
-——o.t0} _s200.51)
|
«3200.51||
«1122.00|
122.00
PO
ee
es
aa
TT
Discrimination
[CNACD
| alit Desk Co-ordinator
|
|
000| 5760.00]
5760.00|
2880.00 |
|Sub-Total =
ssid
otal
-———}- 208|__s760.00/| 5760.00
|| 2880.00|
Pp
ee
| Young Ealing Foundation[Tr2+3] | |
0.00|
0.00|
0.00| 1819.00|
| Arnold C ark Commun** t
ClarkCom
tyGrant |2.0|0.90).00|190.00|
PO
ee
| Sub-total |1][___}__}___.00|_22401.67/| -22101.67
|| __20320.00
|
PO
es
es
OtherProjects:
|CTT
|I]ReadingSchoo:
|
| Tutors/ Venue /Afier-school snacks|
|——'1004.68 |
0.00|
1004.68|
1809.19 |
[SubTotal ss
—“‘(LSSSCCCT«CSi1004.68 |
0.00 |
1004.68|
1809.00 |
John Lyon’s Charity - ‘Cost of
1500.00
iNingtpiweonme ||e
ues
[el [ee
‘Cost
ofLiving Uplift? Grant
[Sub-TotalJ
CCi=dSC“C(‘SCT_~S(i1004.68
|
0.00| 1004.68|
3809.00|
PDo——C—CC
NS| |---| |GD
(OC| ||Closing BankBalances|M_—|——0.00 | 1639.05]
11639.05| 25183.00| |Closing Bank balance| |6.13
Totals
errs
|33183.92[9797427|_109888.00|

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STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES (2023 - 2024)

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ASSETS LIABILITIES |
Closing Balance 11639.05 | Young Ealing Foundation 1581.49
Photocopier/ Printer/ Scanner 240.00 | John Lyon’s Charity 2819.35 .
(@20% depreciation) [Main]
2 Office Computers (Windows 243.20 | Christian Network 6360.00
10) Against Caste
Discrimination[CNACD]
Po Assets over Liabilities 1361.41
12122.25 12122.25
[cHmePreeson | C {reaswwe <—gf.
ne J CoizceTo®
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VOD International (Charity No. 1078764)

Accounts for the Year ended 31 March 2024

I. Principal Accounting Policies

(a) Accounting convention and procedures: The financial statements are prepared under the convention of Income and Expenditure from Receipts and Payments method and closed on a monthly basis. Statement of all transactions and consolidated statement of transactions are approved by the Board of Trustees. Consolidating the monthly statements, the annual receipts and payments are prepared.

(b) Financial Year: 1* April 2023 to 31 March 2024

(c) Incoming Resources: There are 2 Income Categories: Category 1: Unrestricted Funds: provided under Notes and under the letter A (sub-divided into items | to 6): Standing Orders; Donations / Contributions; Benevity / Charitable Giving; Cash-In Contributions; John Lyon’s Charity ‘Cost of Living Uplift? Grant [2023 total]; Young Ealing Foundation ‘Cost of Living Uplift? Grant [2023] total; Reading School Fees; In-kind contributions for the services of the Director and Administrator.

Category 2: Restricted Funds: These are mainly Project Contributions - provided under Notes and under letter B, (sub-divided into items | to 2): Srs St Jose Grant [Justice + Peace] - Christian Network; Young Ealing Foundation Supplementary School Grant [YEF]; John Lyon’s Charity Main Grant [2023 total]; Arnold Clark Community Grant [2023 total]. Note C provides the Incoming Resources Total. Note D Balance Brought Forward. Note E Total Income of the Current Year, including Balance Brought Forward.

(d) Resources Expended: There are 2 main Expense Categories.

Category 1: Cost of Generating Funds: These are Unrestricted items, provided under sub heading and letter F Notes (sub-divided into items i. to ix) includes: Office related; Bank Charges; Telephone / Communication; Travel / Travel related; Annual Audit Fee; Postage and Stationary; Membership; Sub Total and In Kind Contributions of Director and Administrator. G shows Total Cost of Generating Funds. H (E-G) shows Resources Available for Charitable Purposes

Category 2: Expenses are Restricted Funds, shown under letter I and for specific projects in UK. Shown under Projects, Nos. | to 3 (sub-divided into Roman numerals). Other Projects (Unrestricted Funds) come under letter J, consisting of Reading School, John Lyon’s Charity ‘Cost of Living Uplift’ Grant [2023 total]; Young Ealing Foundation ‘Cost of Living Uplift’ Grant [2023 total]. Letter K (I+J) provides the Total Charitable Expenses under both Categories. Letter L (G+K) - Grand Total Expenses. M shows the Closing Bank Balance; N Grand Total Expenses, including Closing Balance.

II. Notes. A (Unrestricted Funds, sub - divided 1 - 6)

1) Standing Orders: received from individuals towards the general income of the organisation. 2) Donations / Contributions: received from individuals, benefactors, trustees and volunteers towards VODI’s activities and received through bank / cheque. 3) Benevity / Charitable Giving: Monthly donations from a regular benefactor.

4

4) Cash-In Contributions: Contributions towards VODI’s general expenses. John Lyon’s Charity ‘Cost of Living Uplift’ Grant [2023 total] Young Ealing Foundation ‘Cost of Living Uplift? Grant [2023 total] _ 5) Reading School Fees: Parents contributions towards Reading School’s expenses. 6) In-Kind Contributions: Director’s consultancy is £32,240 per annum (15.50 per hour x 40 hours x 52 weeks). This is shown as In-kind Contribution, and also Expense. Similarly, the Administrator worked for 40 hours per week, for which consultancy is calculated @ £13 per hr x 40 hours x 52 weeks = £27,040. Of this, £4368.00 came from John Lyon’s Charity (Main) for Project Admin Support, totaling: 32,240 + 27,040 — 4368.00 = £54912.00 which is shown as In-Kind Contributions and Expenses.

III. Notes. B (Sub-divided 1 to 2)

Project Contributions: - Received from various funders during this financial year: 1. John Lyons Charity (Main): No Income received this year for our ‘Southall’s Young People’s Forum for Education and Skills’ [High School] project. Expenses covered under I (1) (i to x) with remaining balance of £2819.35 shown in Assets / Liability Statement. 2. Young Ealing Foundation: £3,000 received this year to support our Reading School project [Primary]. Expenses covered under I (2) with remaining balance of £1581.49 shown in Assets / Liability Statement. 3.Christian Network Against Caste Discrimination [CNACD]: £5,000 was received this year to support Caste Research project / Dalit Desk Co-ordinator position . Expenses shown in I 3, with remaining balance of 6360.00 shown in Assets / Liability Statement.

Other Projects: - Under J 1: (Unrestricted funds).

  1. Reading School: £ 1526.00 received this year with £1004.68 shown as our Reading School project expenses.

IV. Statement of Assets and Liabilities: Forms part of this Income and Expenditure Statement.

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