| OPEN DOORS TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST | OPEN DOORS TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST |
|---|---|
| LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION | |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 01 OCTOBER 2023 | |
| Registered Charity Number: | 1146725 (England & Wales) |
| Trustees: | |
| Michael Oyeleye | |
| Roy Fearon | |
| Femi Mafoh | |
| Facilitator | Femi Mafoh - Executive Trustee |
| Registered Office: | 26 Hillcroft |
| Dunstable | |
| Bedfordshire | |
| LU6 1AQ | |
| Bankers: | HSBC Bank plc |
| 63 George Street | |
| Luton | |
| Bedfordshire LU1 2AR |
OPEN DOORS TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST
Registered Charity Number 1146725
TRUSTEES REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 01 OCTOBER 2023
The Trustees of the charity present their report with the financial statements of the Trust for the period ended 01 October 2023. The financial statements comply with the organisation's accounting policies and in accordance with the objectives of the Trust.
Activities and objects of the charity
The Charity was established on 20th June 2011.
“The Charity’s objects” ( the objects) are:
1. The prevention of relief of poverty (or financial hardship) within the UK and Africa in particular by:
i. providing and assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be selfsufficient: including material assistance.
ii. Undertaking research into factors that contribute to poverty, (or social injustice) or collaborating with other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
2.” The relief of unemployment for the public benefit in such ways as may be thought fit, including assistance to find employment “both within the UK and in Africa by the provision of advice and training to unemployed individuals concerning employment, self-employment and the establishment of social (co-operative) enterprises and the provision of CV writing, job search and job club facilities for them.
3. the advancement of education of people who want to develop themselves in the UK or Africa in such ways as the charity trustees think fit, including by:
i. assisting them for any vocational skills training, trade or profession;
ii. continued development of their individual capabilities, competencies, skills and understanding in subjects of educational value or organising seminars, conferences
iii. Promoting social research for the dissemination of information for public interests to advance information.
4. To further such other purposes as are exclusively charitable in law as the trustees may from time to time determine”
Activities carried out during the period include providing employability skills for the unemployed adult- long term unemployed and young people. Our skills development intervention was able to support at least twenty local people into work, and over thirty local people currently benefitted from
our Health and Wellbeing Awareness project across Luton and Bedfordshire. The Health and Wellbeing Awareness Project is making a difference in the lives of the Black/Asian communities in general especially in addressing health inequalities.
Organisation and Management
The board of trustees meets quarterly to administer the trust. The Trustees runs the organisation by setting up a Management committee to deal with communities and local issues, training, education and development, financial procedures, health and well-being and sustainability plan. The day to day running of the Trust is the responsibility of the Executive Trustee supported by staff and volunteers.
Trustees' interests
No trustee benefitted from the Trust
Relationships with other groups, charities and individuals
The organisation continues to network with other community groups, youth clubs, business employers, Employment and Learning Skills Agencies - providing work placements for learners to get work experience, Colleges, and local authority to share information on skills training, education and development and other charities with similar interests.
Development, activities and achievements
We provide information, advice, guidance, business planning and help with career development. • Helping those looking for work to fill application forms, go through interview techniques. • Provide training and educational support to enhance employability. • Promoting cultural and social inclusion among different communities. • Engaging communities on social issues that enhance community cohesion and promoting advocacy for the disadvantaged on matters that affect their rights. The charity was able to support isolated and vulnerable individuals especially from Ethnic Minority Groups having underlying health conditions with Health and Wellbeing Awareness Education sessions including culturally appropriate nutrititional cooking sessions. The Health and Wellbeing Awareness Project was able to open at two locations in Bedfordshire: Houghton Regis, Luton and Bedford. On a final note, the charity continues to network with educational and training institutions and NHS Health professionals in the delivery of its services.
Future developments
The operations of the Trust in 2024 will expand into developing co-operation with external charities especially in Africa to addressing causes of poverty, major underlying health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, strokes and other health conditions, women empowerment in particular to develop business ideas, co-operative initiatives and economic emancipation. The plan will focus principally on the followings:
the establishment of social (co-operative) enterprises and the provision of job search and job club facilities for the unemployed both in the UK and Africa
the advancement of education of people who want to develop themselves in the UK or Africa by: i). assisting them for any vocational skills training, trade or profession; organising business seminars,
workshops and conferences; and the promotion of health care initiatives to overcome health inequalities.
The charity will be planning to move into its own premises to avoid disruption to our activities.
The Reserves policy
The trust maintains unrestricted funds to cover management, administration and support costs and to respond to emergency financial situations. Restricted funds can only be used for a specific purpose.
Risk Review
Trustees are aware of operational risks which can affect the work of the charity and systems are in place to reduce such risks and regular reports will be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.
Acknowledgement
The Trust acknowledges the generous grant donations from Luton Borough Council – Luton Citizens’ Fund, Central Bedordshire Council, and Harpur Trust and individuals which have helped in the delivery of its activities.