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← Zov UK

2024-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

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Charity Name:

ZOV UK (“ZOV”)

Charity Registration No: Address of Charity:

Current Trustees:

1104091

48 Talbot Road, London, N6

Lucy Rosenstein, Charlotte Healey, George Karaargirov, Dimitar Velikov, Mark Giulianotti, Branimir Zelenkov

Financial Trustee:

Charlotte Healey

Structure, Governance and Management: Two annual trustee meetings are held each year. Charlotte Healey, the Director, is in charge of the daily management and reporting and financial management of this charity. Accounts are prepared and reviewed by accountants and signed off by two trustees. Trustees are appointed at two annual meetings where quorum is when at least three trustees attend. During these annual meetings the minutes are circulated, and making any decisions are circulated for approval by the other trustees. Appointments of Trustees are reviewed each year with any interested parties who have contacted the charity presented at the annual meeting with the current trustees resigning and being re-elected. Trustees do not receive remuneration or any other benefits for their service.

Reporting: Financial year end is March 2024 and operational performance ending December 2023 to cover the 2023/2024 Annual Reporting period.

Financial Performance: In the accounting period ending March-2024 total Income was £27,403 and Total expenditure totaled (£35,676). At the end of the accounting period, funds in the UK bank account were £51,772.

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Of those funds:

2023-2024 fundraising activities met our target budget in order to continue with our programmes at their present levels. Our annual budget is now between £30,000-£35,000.

Reserves Policy: It is ZOV UK’s policy to maintain a balance of unrestricted funds which equates to around 6 months of unrestricted payments which equates to around £15£18,000. In 2018 it was agreed that we should increase the reserves to £15,000 and in 2021 to £18,000. We maintained a reserve in the form of unrestricted funds of £18,000 in 2023/4 which equates to approx. 6 months. This level of reserves is deemed appropriate due to the varying nature of the income sources which are not guaranteed. It was agreed to keep the reserves at this level to reflect future income predictions.

Volunteers: ZOV would like to thank all the trustees who work on a volunteer basis to make the charity run and prosper.

Safeguarding: Although ZOV UK does not undertake any work directly with children in the UK, we do support the work of organisations on the ground in Bulgaria primarily through an NGO ZOV Bulgaria. Each year we make sure we are supporting those organisations that are best aligned with our objectives and mission as a charity. In 2023 we supported ZOV Bulgaria an organisation which is a licensed social support service centre for the number: Л – 3129-178 for supporting the skills and development of children including those with special needs. Reports on our activities are sent to the National Agency for Quality of Social services.

Each year we ask for a copy of the signed licence and Katia Zlatkova, the director of ZOV Bulgaria in Bulgaria, signs a declaration that all documents and contracts are in place for 2023/2024 for the safe and complaint operation of the organisation according to Bulgarian law. Copies of which are circulated to the trustees. We request and receive each year the financial accounts for the charities we fund in Bulgaria. These reports are available and are submitted to the National Tax Agency in accordance with Bulgarian law.

Privacy Policy and General Data Protection Regulation Compliance

(GDPR): The only data ZOV holds is email addresses on Campaign Monitor, a forum that we use to send newsletters. There is, and has been for five years, an “unsubscribe” function for those who do not want to be contacted anymore. Campaign Monitor has measures to make sure the data is held securely. You can view their GDPR policies and procedures at the following link https://www.campaignmonitor.com/trust/. We will never share the information we have with 3[rd] parties, without the prior consent of the relevant party in question. If there is a data breach we will contact Campaign Monitor to understand what has happened as they hold the email list, and if contact is made without prior consent or you are unhappy about the level of contact your data will be immediately removed from the database and a record of the breach will be kept. We will endeavour to inform those whose data has been breached within 72 hours.

From the 25[th] May 2018, for anyone that expresses an interest in our work and wants to receive further information, we will make sure expressive consent is sorted out, including consent to the timings, content and frequency of all further contact. We will only hold personal information where consent has been provided. Evidence of consent will be

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recorded and not passed on to any third parties. People can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any point.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Every 3- 6 months, depending on the level of project activities, ZOV Bulgaria measures the children’s and young person’s improvements with regards to the following fields:

They also note achievements and participation in extra circular activities such as sports, participation in concerts and improved marks at school. In addition, they use evaluation forms and questionnaire so the student volunteer mentors can capture any improvements or changes in the children’s behaviour and educational achievements. Meetings are held during the year to make sure we are addressing the needs of the children and those who work with them in the best possible way using the feedback reviewed from all those involved in our projects.

Objectives and Activities:[In 2022 one in four children in Bulgaria live in poverty and ] are at risk of social exclusion, which is one of the highest rates in the European Union. The pandemic has increased the risk of poverty worsening existing educational inequalities amongst children from different socio economic backgrounds. There are still a large number of children living in institutional care. Children at risk of poverty and social exclusion are less likely to meet their potential and need extra support - particularly with regards to education (UNICEF 2022).

ZOV Bulgaria helps them to prepare for life outside the home until they are secure and independent, and see each child’s unique potential, facilitating the development of their skills and talents. We also help them build confidence, by providing a range of different creative and educational programmes. The dedicated team of staff have built lasting relationships with many children since 2006. Many of these children are supporters, volunteers and employees of ZOV today. We also support and work closely with the parents, care givers, staff of the homes, students and teachers. For example, at one centre we work for, around 90% of the staff have volunteered or worked for ZOV and/ or have participated in one of our programmes.

Core Projects in 2023

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Achievements and Performance (2023):

Awards and Studies 2023

4 ZOV mentors won the biggest award for volunteering from St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo.

Six members of ZOV Bulgaria staff received awards as part of a competition organised by the Municipality in celebration of International Day of Social workers.

ZOV now has 29 local and national awards to date.

NEW CENTRES

We started supporting one more school this year. The school includes children at risk who board and are away from their families. We worked with approx. 291 children in 2023.

Key Achievements

Educational & Employment Successes

13 children and young people, including those with special needs, completed paid work experience with 4 gaining full or part-time employment.

180 children received one-to-one mentoring support as part of ZOV’s educational club. School results and general motivation have increased.

4600 individual meetings between mentors and children.

Extended scope of the Mentoring Project, to include 15 children and young adults.

ZOV provided a young person with a university grant. In return they volunteer and help out with ZOV’s Children’s or Educational Clubs. She was part of the Mentoring and Outreach Projects and has spent much of her life in institutional care.

100% of children that left care either went to university or started a permanent job.

Prevention of Children Going Into Care

80 children with a range of special needs, some of whom have parents who struggle to cope, received weekly music, art and speech therapy support.

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ZOV worked with 80 children at schools from poor families who are at risk of dropping out of school.

Staff Wellbeing and Training

ZOV held training for 40 childcare professionals, including ZOV staff and mentors on leadership and team work.

120 staff members from 12 centers received specialist individual support and group therapy to learn better how to understand and support the children’s needs and behaviour.

Charlotte Healey, one of the trustees, went to Bulgaria in May to see ZOV’s work in action and to participate in some of the sessions.

Over 80 staff members, ZOV Staff and ZOV students volunteers attend training provided by UNICEF. The training focused on working with children with special needs. On the 25[th] November we celebrated “ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Children". ZOV staff attended a conference on the subject

Volunteering

100 student volunteers from the local university provided weekly educational and mentoring support to the children and young people we work with. 5 of these mentors are now employed by ZOV. 20 of these mentors have graduated and are now employed by the local social services, one went onto work with UNICEF Bulgaria.

43 previous mentors are now employed by the Homes we work in, with two as Directors of the homes.

Empowerment

80 children participated in a range of weekly sessions, including music, dance, English, sports, computers, and cooking.

120 children and young people including those with special needs, from 11 centers participated in a charity Martenitsi bazaar in March to celebrate the ‘Baba Marta’ festival and the coming of spring.

125 children also participated in another bazaar at Christmas, raising money through selling gifts. All the gifts made for the bazaars were created in the sessions organised by ZOV.

Participation in 5 concerts and performances this year in the centres.

25 children received 100 medals after participating in 6 national sports tournaments

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Providing Recreational Opportunities

150 children from 15 centers went on a summer trip this year to mountain and sea camps. Games, activities, walking, learning to cook, making art and crafts and theatre sessions were organised. Several one-day trips were also organised so the children could spend time outside the homes. Highlights included the children doing a 12km walk in the mountains and participating in a festival where the children and young people won a number of prizes.

18 environmental and educational day trips were organised for around 130 children.

Trip to mark the end of the Mentoring and Outreach Project, with 120 children and mentors from eight centres. The children got to go canoeing, wall climbing, play sports and perform in concerts and competitions.

ZOV provided 185 children in 12 centres with Christmas presents and a party. A big thank you to George Velikov and CORDET for supporting this campaign

Resources

ZOV repaired 3 computers and currently pays for internet in one of the homes.

ZOV helped an organization to paint Murals in two of the homes we work with.

Building Life Skills

42 children and 48 adults with special needs from 4 Residential Centres have been taught life skills, such as budgeting, growing vegetables and cooking.

158 children and 20 adults with special needs received educational and life-skills session.

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Feedback on Our Work

Children and Young People

"My mentor helped me successfully cope with my homework” Child K, age 12

"My mentor is very nice, she helps me deal with my difficulties in some subjects. I am very grateful to her" Child T, age, 8

"I am very grateful to ZOV for all the support over the years, you have given me. I have confidence that I can cope and achieve success. You will forever remain in my heart, as the people who believed in me when no one else did!” Child H, age 18

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"Elena mountains was amazing, we had such a lovely wonderful time", Young person A, age 18

“I can actually read now, thank you! ” Child D, age 8

“I wanted to become a waitress and my mentor has helped me make this happen” Child M, age 17

"ZOV has always been by my side in the past years, thank you! You taught me independence not only in paid internships, but also in all the activities I have participated in so far - Mentoring project, Saturday club, Education, the many excursions, emotions, experiences. You are part of my big family - thank you!", Young Person S, age 19

"Thank you very much for the great opportunity again, and this will help me leaving the home and transition to real life!”, Young person, age 18

Teachers and Directors

“I am so proud of the achievements of the Children and I’m so grateful to ZOV for their support and partnership" Director of the Centre for Special Needs.

"We are very grateful that we had the opportunity to join ZOV’s Education club, your mentor really helped us professionally so we hired her. We will be glad of future cooperation with ZOV", Deputy Director of School

“I have been working with ZOV for 15 years and I am proud with my sports work and achievements that I did with the kids which would have been impossible without ZOV

support" Sports teacher at ZOV

"I observe the children’s progress with each passing week” Teacher from one of the Schools we work with

"I am very grateful for the support and unique approach, which works really well. I can see improvements and I'm very happy that I can also learn something from you and be useful to my daughter " Mother of Child A

“Thank you, for being our most important supporter for the children and people with special needs and for again giving your hearts and supporting them to have an amazing summer with many emotions and journeys. ZOV is and will always be our best partner!”, Rositsa Dimitrova, Head of Social department in VT Municipality

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Plans for 2024

In 2024 , through ZOV’s work, we will continue to research and develop methods of working with vulnerable children and children at risk with a focus on improving independence, behaviour and wellbeing. We will continue our work and look to expand to support more children at risk through working with local schools and families.

ZOV also encourages the development of the staff we support in Bulgaria. Six key members o (50%) of staff have a PhD degree or are studying for a PhD. Members of ZOV Bulgaria have published 43 publications, 11 in English, 29 in Bulgarian, including 3 books.

Building on the success of the Individual Support Project in 2023, ZOV will continue to provide support sessions to 120 members of staff who work with us. The sessions will be provided in individual and group formats, focusing on supporting the staff and how to address the children's needs in the best possible way.

Evidence of how our approach works to date

The trustees have confirmed that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.

https://www.unicef.org/reports/country-regional-divisional-annual-reports-2022/Bulgaria

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ZOV UK CHARITY NUMBER 1104091 srATEMENT OF Accoumrs For the year ended 31st March 2024

ZOV UK ABLI HE CHARITY NUMBER 1104091 Registered Addres5: 48 Talbot Road London N64QP Trustees: Lucy R05enstein Charlotte Healey George Karaargirov Dimitar Velikov Mark Giulianotti Branimir Zelenkov Financial trustee: Charlotte Healey Independent Examiners: CRASL Carfton Park House Carlton Park Industrial Estate Saxmundham Suffolk IP17 214L

ZOV UK CHARITY NU STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT rth ed3 t March 2024 INDEX Page TRUSTEES, REPORT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL A￿[V￿Es BALANCE SHE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

zov CHARtrY NUMBER 1104091 STA ISHED BY D USTE ' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st March 202 anlsatiohal Stru The charity trustees are responsible for the overall management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneratlon or otherfinancial benefits. The Trustees together with the members committee meet monthly to ensure the smooth running and financi31 well being of the charity. ecr Itm ntof The existing trustees are responsible for the recruitment of new trustÈe5 from the local community. Indurtion and ralnln Following appointment, new trustees are given copies of the trust deed and relevant publications from the charity commission. k Mana ement The trustees assess the risks the charity faces and identtfie5 the major risk by area of actlvity. These are reviewed regularly. The insurance cover is in place and finances are kept under revlew. Ob tive ctivttles Flnances Lucy Rosenstein Trustee Mark Giulianottl Trustee

ZOV UK ESTABLISHED BY DEED CHARITY UMBER 11 NDEPENDENT EXA R'S REPORTT ETRU OF ZOV I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2024. which are set out on page5 4 to RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you considerthat the audit requirement of section 14412} of the Charities Act 2011 {The Attl does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Dirertions given by the Charity Commlssloner5 under section 145{5llb) of the Att, whether particular Tnatters have corne to my attention. Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charfty has prepared accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their ccounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entttie5 published on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities {FRSSE} is in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on l April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has since been withdrawn. l understand that this has been done in orderforthe accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally AC￿pted Accounting Prartice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after l January 2015. BASIS OF INDEPENDEKf LYAMINER'S REPORT My examination was carried out in accordance wtth the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examlnation includes o review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison Df the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concernlng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provlde all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently I do not express an auditopinion on the view given by the accounts.

zovu ABLISHED BY DEED ARI ER 1104091 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTE OF ZOV INDEPENDEKT EXIMINER'S STATEMENT In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention". which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any materlal respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordan￿ with settlon 130 of the Act: and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting ￿CordS and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. have not been met; or to which, in my opinion, attention should be dwawn in order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. R Brock MAAT ACCA CRASL Saxmundham

ZOV UK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcrivmES For the year ended 31st March 2024 2024 Total 2023 Total Unrestrlcted Restrlrted Notes Income and endowments from Voluntory Income.. Donations and legacies Actlvitiesfor generatingfunds.. Charitable activlties Grants 5A47 5,847 9,639 5,296 2.760 10.500 8.056 13.500 4,367 16,200 Total Income and endowments 14.143 13.260 27,403 30,206 Expendlture Cost of generating voluntary income Charitable activities 35,676 35,676 34,420 Total expenditure 35.676 35,676 34,420 Net movement In funds -21.533 13,260 -8,273 -4,214 Balances brought forward 39,419 17,886 20,376 33,636 59,795 51,522 64,009 59,795 All of the Charlty's activities are classed as CDntinuin8. The Charity has no recognised Bains ow losses other than those shown above. The notes on pages 6 to 8 fom part of these accounts.

ZOV UK BALANCE SHEEr For the year ended 31st March 2024 2024 2023 Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Assets Current Assets Stock Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank-current Cash in hand 51.772 59,795 51.772 59,795 Uabillties Amounts falling due in one year 250 Net current assets Net assets 51,522 51.522 59,795 59.795 Funds Unrestriced Restricted 17.886 33,636 51,522 39,419 20,376 59,795 Approved by the Board of Trustees on 16th December 2024 and signed on its behalf by., Lucy Rosenstein Trustee Mark Giu Trustee ianotti

ZOV UK TAB ISHED BY DEED HARI NOTES TO ACCOU14TS Forthe year ended 31st March 20Z4 ACCOVNTING POUCIES basts of preparatlon The financial ststemerrts have been prepared In accordance vmth Accounting aThJ Reporting by Chartie5'. Statement of Recommended Practice and in accordance with the Financial Fleporting Standardsfor Srnaller Entities leffertivÈJanuary 20151 and the Charities Act 2011. Assets and liabilr(ies are initially re¢ogni5ed at historkal cost or transaction value unFe5S Otherwise stated in thÈ relevant accounting accountbng poliry note. rhe financlal statements have been prepared to give and'true and fair. view and have departed from the Charities IAccounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to prowde a 'true and falr view. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporbng bythe Charities preparing their accounts In accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRSSEI issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Staternent of Recommended Practice effectlve from l April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. Pr•paratlon of•¢counts on a golnz¢on¢em ba* The as5essmerbt of the trustees isthat the charity Is a Boing concem. Income All incomlng resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activitie5 when the tharity h6s suffitlent certaintythat receipt of the ino)me is piobakAe and the amount can be measuied reliably. Expenditure Expenditure is recognised On￿ there Is a le8al or constructive obligation to make a payment to a thlrd party. It has been dassIf￿d under headiEkBs that aggregate 311 costs related to that category. Where costs cannot be diredy attributed to particular headlngs they have been all¢xated on a ba&s consistentwith the use of resource The charlty is not registered forVAT and accordingly expw)thture È5 shown gross of Grants offered subjertto condtlions which have not been met atthe year end date are notes a5 commitment but not accrued as expenditur

ZOV UK DEE CHARITY NUMBER NOTE5 TO ACCOUNTS For the year ended 31st March 2024 Voluntsry Income All donated income 15 included in income on re￿Ipt where the donor requires that Ihe sum is to be treated as income in future accountin8 period5. Investment Income Interest received is included when receivable. Fixed Assets Depreciation is provided on fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the costs, less estimated residual value, or each asset over tts expetted useful lrfe as follows:_ Furniture. Fixture5 and Fittings - 15% on reducing balance Stock Stock Is valued at a lower of cost and net realisable value

ZOV UK ABLISHED BY DEED CHARITY NUMBER I 04091 NOTES TO ACCOUNTS For the year ended 31st March 2024 2024 Total 2023 Total Unrestrirted Restrlcted 2 Donations and legacies Donations & Legacies 5.847 5,847 9.639 5,847 5,847 9,639 3 Charitable activities Income Charltable Activities Inveslments 5,296 2,760 8,056 4,367 5.296 2,760 8,056 4,367 4 Charitable activlties Expenses Raising Funds Charltable Activities 216 35,460 35,676 216 35,460 35.676 216 34,204 34,420 5 Grants received FOB Grants Orbis Foundation AFD 10,5(K) 10,500 1,000 2,000 13,500 8,200 6,000 2,000 16,200 1.000 2,000 3,000 10.5tKI