Charity Registration No. 1136482
OPEN HANDS
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
OPEN HANDS
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Charity number
Charity number 1136482 Trustees Rebekka Single (Chairperson) Trevor Meadows (Treasurer) Andrea Van Hoven Julie Horn Address Open Hands Charity Millbank Cottage Horringford Newport Isle of Wight PO30 3AP
Independent Examiner
Bankers
J R Caladine FCCA Caladine Limited Chantry House 22 Upperton Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 1BF Co-operative Bank 78/80 Cornhill London EC3V 3NJ
OPEN HANDS
CONTENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Trustees' report | 1 - 17 |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's report | 18 |
| Receipts and payments account | 19 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 20 |
| Notes on financial statements | 21 |
Trustees Report
For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
Status, Governance and Management
Open Hands is a charity registered in England and governed by its Trust Deed dated 21[st] May 2010.
The trustees who served during the year were:
Rebekka Single Trevor Meadows Andrea van Hoven Julie Horn
Trustees are appointed by existing trustees. They meet regularly to manage the activities of Open Hands.
In memory of Trustee Ian Taplin
On 10[th] September 2023 our dedicated Open Hands Trustee and dear friend Ian Taplin suddenly passed away. Ian suffered complications from long-term health conditions that were only discovered a few days before.
Ian used the skills that he acquired as a former lawyer and accountant to help the charity. He was a man of integrity who gave security to the charity but more than that he became a friend and trusted personal advisor. Ian is being greatly missed by myself and the Open Hands team.
Objectives and Structure
Open Hands remains committed to providing valuable and on-going support for vulnerable children and their families living in disadvantaged areas, primarily in Romania. The objects of Open Hands, as documented in our declaration of Trust in May 2010 are:
- (a) The prevention or relief of poverty in Romania and the surrounding countries by providing: grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or charities or other
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local organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty for orphan and neglected children, and among the Roma community.
- (b) To relieve poverty (or financial hardship) among the Roma community and their dependents living in Romania and the surrounding countries by providing advice and support in health, housing and education.
This report demonstrates how we have achieved these objects within the financial year 2024-25.
Open Hands is a registered charity in three countries: England, Germany and Romania. All funds raised through Open Hands Charity in the England or Open Hands e.V. in Germany that are not needed to meet local governance, operational needs or to meet our reserves policy are transferred to Fundatia Open Hands in Romania.
Public Benefit
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.
Risk Statement
The trustees have assessed the risks to which the charity is exposed, those related to the operations and finances of the charity and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate our exposure to the risks.
Trustees’ Responsibilities
We are required as trustees to prepare financial statements each year which include the payments and receipts of Open Hands Charity for the year. The trustees are responsible for keeping accurate accounting records; this ensures that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
Open Hands Mission
Open Hands work is based on Christian values but welcomes persons of all beliefs and none.We work among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people in Romania and our programs aim to transform their lives.
Open Hands founder Rebekka Single first travelled to Romania in 2008, where she was moved by the plight of children lacking love, care, and shelter. These children were isolated and highly disadvantaged, with no one to speak up on their behalf. In response to their needs, Rebekka established the Open Hands Charity in 2010 - first in England, and later, in
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collaboration with founding members, in Romania in 2015. In 2021, Open Hands e.V. was also established in Germany.
Open Hands Vision and Values
Our vision is a world free of poverty and injustice. A world where every child in every community is valued and loved. A world where every child, regardless of their ability or background can access the resources to thrive and reach their full potential.
The work of Open Hands is underpinned by these core values:
Integrity
- We are committed to work transparently with all resources entrusted to us and strongly believe in being accountable to our supporters. We strive to keep our administration costs to an absolute minimum and our expenses in Romania are carefully budgeted and reviewed to ensure good stewardship.
Respect
- We respect the human worth and dignity of every person we serve. We believe that every person, regardless of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation or beliefs is of immense value and uniquely gifted. We promote inclusiveness for all people we work with and challenge discrimination in all its forms.
Compassion
- We act with compassion and kindness and strive to bring unconditional love to those we are helping. We believe that every child needs to experience a loving and stable environment, where their emotional, material and social needs are met.
Empowerment
- We promote and support people’s right to make their own choices, provided this does not threaten the rights, safety and legitimate interests of others.
Collaboration
- We empower families to be active participants, and to become involved, in decisions and actions affecting their lives. We build relationships and partnerships to ensure that children and families can access the services that they need. We work together with local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and families.
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Holistic Approach
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We provide support that looks at the whole person, not just their immediate circumstances. We seek to cover all aspects of a child’s life, including their physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing, as well as their family life, community and societal environments.
Where Open Hands Operates and What it Does
Open Hands’ Fundatia main office is in Suceava, a city in the northeast of Romania. Our work, however, extends beyond Suceava to two key areas: the surrounding villages and the small town of Gheorgheni in eastern Transylvania.
We work with children and families in rural communities who face social exclusion and poverty, challenges often rooted in limited access to education and scarce employment opportunities.As a result, many families struggle to manage their meager financial resources effectively. Numerous parents have endured traumatic upbringings themselves and have lost hope, recognizing the near impossibility of meeting their children’s basic needs without external assistance.
Open Hands is often the first point of contact for these families. We provide well-structured, sustainable, and long-term support aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty within these communities.
Achievements and Performance - 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025
Family Support (FS)
FS Aim - Education
Over the years our FS service has proven itself a successful tool in combating poverty. It offers children and their families well-structured, long-term support and provides a way out of poverty. However, change takes time, and families need to engage fully to see positive outcomes.
The Romanian Child Protection Service or family doctors frequently refer children and families who are in urgent need of support to us. Although we continue to add new cases and aim to help as many in need as we possibly can, a waiting list remains. We currently support a total of over 200 children in our programs.
The main aim of the FS service is to provide access to education for children. Depending on the child’s age, this starts at the kindergarten level and leads up to the completion of
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secondary school. Romania has a significant challenge with early school leaving, with the highest rate in the European Union. We know that if children leave school early, their employment opportunities may completely be diminished, or at best, they get very lowpaying jobs. While higher levels of education correlate with lower unemployment rates. It is therefore our priority that the children we support through our FS service stay in education.
Although the government is implementing programs to address the early school leaving issue, the issue persists due to a number of social and economic factors. Open Hands is addressingthese factors. The key challenges are to provide access to education, monitor a child’s attendance, and keep them motivated to learn and continue their education.
Children and families who are being socially excluded and live in poverty need reliable and trustworthy partners. Our liaison workers build bridges between home and school environments; in addition to this, we provide further support at our educational Rainbow and Lighthouse centres.It is our goal to see every child, regardless of their ability or background, thrive and reach their full potential.
FS Home Visits
Home visits give us the opportunity to make sure children are cared for. Practical, hands-on FS for families living in remote or excluded areas involves providing families with material things, such as clothing, shoes and blankets. We also provideschool supplies, hygiene products and food, according to each family’s needs.
Additionally,families receive counselling and are advised and practical support in relation to welfare issues and health care.
FS Children with Disabilities
Our FS work involves the support of children with disabilities that we encounter within families and children’s homes. Romanian legislation aims to protect the rights and interests of children with disabilities, particularly in social protection, assistance, education, and healthcare. However, we frequently meet children with disabilities that live isolated and marginalised lives, facing barriers to accessing the healthcare and educational services they so desperately need.
Open Hands workers take on the role of an advocate for these children and families to ensure that they receive their government entitlements. Parents are informed of their rights and the legislation in regard to disability. Children and parents are also assisted in gaining access to health care and education.
Children with disabilities are welcome and included in all Rainbow House and Lighthouse activities and are valuable members of the Open Hands community.
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Birthdays
Many children we work with do not know when their birthday is, let alone having ever experienced the enjoyment and fun of celebrating one before. We want them to know how precious they are – this is why we celebrate each child’s birthday with a cake and special celebration.
FS Housing
As the homes that our families live in are usually dilapidated and small spaces, much work needs to be done to make these places properly habitable. Open Hands frequently assists families in renovating their homes, providing water access, building new roofs and sometimes re-building a home completely. All this work and much more is done in collaboration with parents. We are supported by some local authorities on these projects and sometimes local businesses help out as well, all with one aim - to create safer and humane living conditions for children and families.
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Rainbow House (RH)
RH Care
Since its opening in 2016 the RH has been a safe place of consistent nurture and care fordeprived children and their mothers. Over the years the children have come to see the RH as their second home where they find acceptance and rest. Up to this day it is the same children and new ones who come and enjoy the support the staff and RH has to offer. The RH team sets an example of what relationship-based and sustainable social work looks like, the outcome of which is seen in the positive development of the children.
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RH Outdoors
Younger and older children continue to enjoy the outdoor space at the RH - we are fortunate to offer them a large garden and play area where they can, in the warmer season,play and unwind daily. The garden area is also used for sports such as football and other ball games, as well as large summer and birthday parties for the children.
RH Education
Due to their disadvantaged backgrounds the RH children are at high risk of remaining poor throughout their lives. To reduce this risk, we are place a strong emphasis on education which entails kindergarten and school enrolment and attendance monitoring, as well as supporting the children’s learning at the RH. Our RH manager is regularly in touch with schools to make sure that the children attend. She frequently advocates on their behalf and addresses any problems that arise.
A large percentage of the children we work with do not meet the developmental milestones of healthily developed children of a similar age. Due to a disadvantaged start in life, many RH children are less advanced in their development, some have diagnosed disabilities. Those with additional needs have been enrolled at the local special school.
Each of the RH children continues to develop at its own pace and we continue to see steady, overall improvements. It is a big achievement for many children when they learn how to read and write. All RH children and families receive regular visits at home from our family liaison worker.
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RH Holistic Approach
We look at each child holistically to enable it to reach its full potential. We aim to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of each child, as well as taking their family and broader life in the context of their community into account.
By working with children in our programs, at school and within their home context, we get a clearer picture of what they need to thrive. Regular home visits allow us to see children in the context of their family and community life. Understanding the environment in which a child lives helps us to tailor our support, to meet their needs and improve their outcomes. It also enables us to connect and work with their parents, who are often vulnerable adults themselves, in need of support.
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RH Teens
Over the past years our work with teenagers at the RH has evolved, placing a strong emphasis on the future-wellbeing of our young people. The teenagers meet twice a week with a mentor who guides them on topics such as identity, integration into Romanian society, education and physical health, as well as art and music. The mentor and our RH manager work with the teenagers at the Rainbow House or the Caritas base in the town of Gheorgheni. The teenagers are thriving in this program and have formed a strong group cohesion, feeling connected, having a sense of unity and shared purpose.
All along our family liaison worker continues to build bridges to the children's home environments and works intensively with parents to ensure holistic care.The program is another stepping stone for our Rainbow House young people towards a self-determined future.
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RH Partnerships
Our initial partnership with the Caritas Youth 4 Change Program has been successful and Open Hands continues to work side by side with Caritas for the well-being of our teenagers and other disadvantaged teenagers in the area.
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RH Summer
Children in Romania have a long summer holiday of around 3 months. During this time the RH remained open, apart from two weeksin August. The RH offered its usual services to the children and families. Various summer activities took place, such as traveling to the swimming pool in the nearest bigger town, BBQs and summer parties.
TwoLighthouse Programs (LH)
This year we continued to work with children at our two Lighthouse Programs, situated in the rural communities of Suceava county. Lighthouse No. 1 is based in the centre of the village in Ciprian Porumbescu and is part of a building that is connected with the local primary school. The space of the centre is comprised of three large rooms which are provided to OH by the local authority free of charge. Two rooms serve as classrooms while the third is used as a play and break room.
Lighthouse No. 2 is based in the rural community of Timpoceni. Due to the ongoing rebuilding of the primary school in Timpoceni OH is running its LH programm at the near primary school in Capu Codrului. The school in Capu Codrului has been facilitating OH with the use of a classroom in which the LH is run for five afternoons a week.
The aim of our Lighthouses is to break generational cycles of poverty through education. The children coming to LH come from disadvantaged backgrounds; due to this they are mostly years behind in their level of learning in comparison to other children their age. LH is therefore a vital support as it aids their learning development immensely.
LH supplements the school curriculum and enables children to repeat and practise subjects like maths and Romanian. The programme encourages regular school attendance by only allowing children to come to the LH program who have attended school that day.
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LH also broadens children’s perspectives by creating new opportunities and experiences, such as outdoor activities, arts and crafts and sight-seeing. LH is a very popular programme.
LHNo. 1 – Ciprian Porumbescu
Usually, the children come to the centre in Ciprian Porumbescu right after they finish school. At LH they first receive a hot and nutritious meal. The programme runs each week-day from 12pm until 4pm. LH works with a total of 35 children; 20 children in its primary Owl class and 15 secondary aged teenagers in their own class. As demand grew, we opened the class for the teenagers in September 2024 – the class is supported by two experienced teachers and our LH manager. Many friendships are being formed and strengthened at LH.
LH children, attending both classes receive support with clothing, shoes and school supplies. Each child’s birthday is celebrated together at LH.
LH offers advocacy and Family Support as part of its programme. Both our Lighthouses programmes operate in collaboration with the relevant local authority.
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LHNo. 2 - Timpoceni
LH Timpoceni is run similarly to LH Ciprian Porumbescu. The children attend right after they have finished school and begin their programme with a hot meal. The programme runs 5 days a week in the classroom offered to us by the school. Our project manager runs the programme with a teacher from the local community. Together they work with 21 marginalised children of school age who all need additional support with their learning due to their disadvantaged backgrounds.
In addition to the 21 school-aged children, our project manager has enrolled and integrated a further 26 children from Timpoceni into the kindergarten – which is attached right to the school. Thus, enabling a total of 66 children from the community of Timpoceni access to education and ongoing support with their education.
We continue a positive working relationship with the head and the teachers of the school, who value our community work and educational input.
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LH Summers
During the three-month long summer break, the LH staff organises a number of indoor and outdoor activities for the children. This year the children enjoyed various parties, such as a lemonade party, visiting restaurants, picnics, being on a steam train and hiking in the woods.
Support for Ukraine
Open Hands operates in Romania and the surrounding region.Our headquarters are based in the northern city of Suceava which is only a short drive from the Romanian-Ukrainian border. Since the full-scale invasionof Ukraine in February 2022, Open Hands has provided support and assistance to Ukrainiancitizens entering Romania and to vulnerable children in Ukraine. Relief items were brought to children and adults who experience extreme hardships through sickness, disability, poverty or by living in an orphanage.
This has included supportto children and young people in the Mahala residential institution in Chernivtsi region. Inthis context, Open Hands became aware of the work of Social Synergy to support children inand from the Mahala institution.
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Open Hands is impressed by Social Synergy's dedication to supporting the most excluded children with disabilities. This year, we continued our support for children of Mahala orphanage by assisting the work of Social Synergy to finance staff who provide the therapeutic intervention and individualised care that the children and young people desperately need.
Aid Transports
This year two aid transports were made in April and October. Volunteers drove with Sprinter vans all the way from southern Germany to deliver warm clothing and shoes, toys, blankets, childrens’ bikes, school materials, furniture and many other itemsto our Rainbow House in Romania. The donations are stored in a container at the RH and distributed throughout the year to the families and children that we work closely with.
Christmas 2024
Our Romanian team had a busy Christmas period once again, as 640 Christmas boxes were brought to households and schools, such as the local school for children with disabilities. As well as visiting children in need and delivering gifts to their homes, we held multiple Christmas parties at our Rainbow House and Lighthouses. Due to the growing number of children in our programmes, we held a number of Christmas parties at the centres. During the partieschildren were provided with a special Christmas dinner. We offered different art and craft activities; Christmas carols were sung and Father Christmas came and brought gifts.
In December 2024 St Nicholas Day was celebrated with all Open Hands children . The children had a celebration, received gifts and were visited in their community.Christmas gifts continue to brighten the children’s lives. Some tell us that receiving a Christmas gift from Open Hands has been one of their happiest memories.
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Financial Review
This year, our income held up well, enabling us to cover all activities on the ground in Romania and support the Mahala orphanage in Ukraine. As the cost of living continues to rise and the need for services in Romania grows, we continue to rely on monthly donations. However, these regular monthly donations do not cover the running costs on the ground in Romania. This deficit is covered each month by additional fundraising efforts and through one-off donations. We consistently continue to pursue the aim of balancing out our income and expenses.
There was a surplus for the year on operations of £27,396. Reserves carried forward were £95,029 as at 31 March 2025.
In the year 2021 we set up Open Hands e. V. in Germany until then our German based donors had donated to Open Hands Charity in England, as German donors migrated to donate to the Germany charity the income of Open Hands Charity in England inevitably dropped significantly as compared with previous years. However, the formation of Open Hands e. V. has enabled us to raise more funds in Germany itself, which in return immensely strengthens our work on the ground in Romania.
Since the formation of our Open Hands e.V. branch in Germany we have established a very close working relationship sharing one aim - a better future for the poorest children in Romania. Although both charities serve the same aim, they are separate entities and therefore accountable to their respective national authorities.
Thank You
As I reflect on the past year, I take great pride in all that we have accomplished together as a team — from the many skilled individuals on the ground in Romania who faithfully meet the daily needs of children and families, to the Trustees and volunteers in England and Germany whose commitment and dedication have been unwavering.
The continued impact of our work is sustained by the generosity of individuals, churches, companies, and charitable trusts, whose support enables Open Hands to thrive.
We are sincerely grateful for your ongoing partnership, support, and shared commitment to our mission.
fall. Yours sincerely, YL Rebekka Single
26 November 2025
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Page 18
OPEN HANDS
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF OPEN HANDS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Open Hands ('the Charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 19 to 21.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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(2) the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
J R Caladine FCCA
Caladine Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road Eastbourne, BN21 1BF
8 December 2025
Page 19
OPEN HANDS
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Receipts Donations Interest Gift aid Total receipts Payments Projects and aid to Romania NGO Travel costs Insurance Office costs Accountancy and Independent Examination Total payments Surplus / (Deficit) for the year Cash funds at 31 March 2024 Cash funds at 31 March 2025 |
Unrestricted £ 123,087 959 12,609 136,655 107,175 221 431 544 888 109,259 27,396 67,633 95,029 |
Restricted £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total Total 2025 2024 £ £ 123,087 114,671 959 475 12,609 5,442 136,655 120,588 107,175 99,760 221 - 431 431 544 257 888 840 109,259 101,288 27,396 19,300 67,633 48,333 95,029 67,633 |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 20
OPEN HANDS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash funds | ||
| Cash at bank | 95,029 | 67,633 |
| Other debtors | ||
| Gift aid receivable | 16,086 | 6,359 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Accountancy and Independent Examination | 924 | 888 |
CM Approved by the trustees …...................... 26 November 2025 Trevor Meadows Treasurer
Page 21
OPEN HANDS
NOTES ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of accounting
The Financial Statements have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis, as allowed under section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 for small charities that are not companies.
1.2 Income and expenditure
All income and expenditure has been included when received and paid.
1.3 Funds
General unrestricted fund
The Charity operates an unrestricted General Fund that can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how the may be used.
2 Trustees
Trustees received no remuneration in the year.
In the year, Trustee Trevor Meadows was reimbursed expenses of £431 (2024: £431) for insurance payments.