The Mikhulu Trust Registered - Charity Number 1,158,733 Annual Report
1 December 2022 - 30 November 2023
Trustees: Address: Peter Cooper (Chair) 85 Church Way Lynne Murray Iffley Cathy Creswell Oxford Nova Robinson OX4 4EF Nicholas Dowdell UK
Review of Objectives for 2022-2023
i. Provide DBS support
We have continued to support groups in Italy and around the world in both DBS research and systems of DBS delivery. In Italy, we have identified an academic clinician, Dr Mauro Belluardo, based is Padua, who we have trained to be a trainer of DBS facilitators in Italy. During 2023 he ran several training courses in DBS, mainly for teachers.
ii. Bologna University collaboration
We have set up a collaboration with Prof Leonardo De Pascalis, of the University of Liverpool and the University of Bologna, and have initiated a collaboration for a research project on delivering DBS training to parents in rural India. A grant application will be submitted in 2024/25.
iii. Libri Fatto a Mano
We have collaborated with Ombretta Pellegrini and Libri Fatti a Mano in providing training in DBS to teachers and parents in the Tuscan towns of Pieve Santo Stefano and Badia Tedalda.
iv. Mignano Museum
We have gained access to a space within the village of Mignano and are restoring it as a site for a museum. The museum is the principal objective of an Associazione we have established in Italy, with Lynne as the President. The Associazione is known as CRESCITA (Italian for ‘Growth’), an acronym ( C entro R urale E ducativo per la S toria e la C ultura I taliana T radizionale e l’ A mbiente’ - Rural Education Centre of the History and Traditional Italian Culture and of the Environment). We have begun preparing educational materials for the museum. These focus on issues concerning local cultural history and ecology.
Objectives for 2023-24
i. CRESCITA
Continue to develop materials for CRESCITA. Develop the museum site, including the creation of a small cinema. Purchase a large TV screen and two computer stations and begin developing films and interactive materials for them respectively. Hold an official opening of the museum, inviting the mayor of the region. Begin hosting classes of school children in the museum. Put in applications to the EU for financial support for the further development of CRESCITA.
ii. International research into DBS
Continue supporting research groups around the world – including the UK and Italy – in research into the delivery and impact of DBS. Assist colleagues in publishing their research findings and obtaining funding for their research.
iii. DBS Training in Italy
Continue supporting Dr Belluardo in providing DBS training in Italy; and continue providing DBS training in the Pieve Santo Stefano region.
Financial Report
1 December2022 - £22,965
30 November 2023 - £21,794
The expenditure (apart from bank fees) of £1,171 went entirely to Diego della Ragione, who has provided technical support in the making of video and photographic materials for CRESCITA.