2023-02-28-accounts

Let Yourself Trust (Registered charity, number 1159017) Financial statements for the period ended 28 February 2023

Page	Contents
2 - 12	Trustees’ annual report
13	Independent examiner’s report
14	Receipts & payments account
15	Statement of assets & liabilities
16	Notes to the accounts

Let Yourself Trust Trustees’ annual report for the period ended 28 February 2023

Full name Let Yourself Trust

Organisation type Charitable incorporated organisation

Registered charity number 1159017

Principal address PO Box 37, Cardiff, Wales, CF64 2YU

Trustees

Roger Oldfield, Chair Ruth Oldfield Clare Harris Gill Hewitt, from 4 March 2023

Independent examiner

John O’Brien, employee of Community Accounting Plus, Units 1 & 2 North West, 41 Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG1 5GL

Governance and management

The charity is operated under the rules of its CIO – Association constitution registered 29 October 2014 and most recently amended 9 August 2022.

The trustees are all elected and appointed at the AGM as set out in the constitution.

Objectives and activities

Let Yourself Trust’s Objects, as defined in its Association Model Constitution are as follows:

1. Relief of poverty: the prevention or relief of poverty anywhere in the world by providing grants, items and services to individuals and/or communities in need, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty for individuals. The prevention or relief of poverty (or financial hardship) anywhere in the world by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, or healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient.

2. Equality & diversity: the promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit by a) the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion;

3. b) advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity;

4. c) promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse surroundings;

5. d) cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality and diversity.

2

Let Yourself Trust

Public benefit statement

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'.

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit

In practical terms, Let Yourself Trust supports people affected by poverty, disability, discrimination and those deprived of natural, educational and professional resources via partnership with 2-4 organisations per year. These organisations are at a grassroots level and devote themselves and their lives to the vulnerable people they support, and Let Yourself Trust partners with 2 of them for a 6-month period each, as well as providing smaller community development donations to 1-2 other projects to help promote their work and to raise funding for their efforts building better lives for families and communities.

Funding and awareness are raised in part due to the Founder of Let Yourself Trust, Martyn Joseph, and his long established career as an internationally acclaimed touring artist. Martyn performs 170+ shows each year all over the globe, and Let Yourself Trust is featured prominently at each performance, both via Martyn’s highlight from the stage as well as via literature at the merchandise table. This, in addition to the use of social media shared with Martyn’s pre-established global audience, provides the framework for Let Yourself Trust to spotlight these issues of vulnerability, discrimination and disadvantage that our partners work hard to stabilise.

Summary of the main achievements during the period

We were so thrilled to be able to give donations to 5 major projects in this financial year, including 2 new partners in the UK, one new partner in Ethiopia, one new partner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and continued support to a previous partner in Advantage Africa.

Below is a summary of the 5 partners we worked with this year, and where the funding was used.

HAFWAY

HAFWAY (HALLIWELL ACTION FOR WORKING ALONGSIDE YOUTH) exists to help young people raise their aspirations, overcome their limitations and thrive despite the disadvantages they face.

Established nearly 25 years ago in 1998 in response to a need for youth work provision in the area of Halliwell, Bolton, there are now over 200 young people currently accessing the provision of HAFWAY each year and it has become a vital resource for young people within the community. More than just a youth project, HAFWAY are a family where all young people are welcome and included, no matter what. They run a wide range of projects and sessions as well as a focused mentoring programme designed to help the individual needs of each young person. Their aim is to help young people know that they belong , help them believe in themselves and support them to become all that they can be.

3

Let Yourself Trust

HAFWAY's biggest need was to be able to support expanding the opportunities given to their young people via a mode of transportation. To be able to accommodate trips out to camp, rides to their programs, and other such opportunities, they needed a new (used) mini bus, as theirs had died many months back and rentals were both expensive and often unavailable.

With LYT's gift of support of £25,000 , HAFWAY were overjoyed to have been able to purchase their new to them mini bus - in excellent condition, and already being put to good use.

ADVANTAGE AFRICA

The challenges facing the vulnerable people supported by Advantage Africa are ongoing, and consequently, thus so is our support to one of our longest running partners.

While there are so many positive stories to report in the midst of such hardship, the situation for vulnerable people in Uganda continues to be perilous with food scarcity, rocketing inflation and the spectre of deadly Ebola affected many districts. There are similar issues of extreme hunger across their project areas in East Africa due to droughts and rising cost of living food costs, with many families in emergency situations.

4

Let Yourself Trust

In the previous financial year, we supported Advantage Africa on a new, badly needed support venture - incredible lifesaving work in refugee camps in Uganda for people living with albinism. We were then contacted by Andrew, Jane & team in this financial year, asking us if we might be able to help to further develop their skin cancer prevention, food relief and UNHCR advocacy activities in the Nakivale and Rwamwanja refugee settlements. They were also keen to expand this work into the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in the north of Uganda. This is one of the largest settlements in the world with upwards of 270,000 refugees, mostly from South Sudan. They understand there are many people with albinism in this settlement, living in very challenging conditions and without support to keep them safe from skin cancer. Working in Bidi Bidi would strengthen the evidence they can share with UNHCR towards seeking policy change and vastly improved conditions and support for refugees with albinism.

Their aims were also to boost their life-saving skin cancer prevention, care and treatment activities for people with albinism in south-east Uganda. The need for this support is immense and continues to grow as more people with albinism learn about their program and urgently seek help. Additionally, all of their practical support provides evidence to advocate with the Ugandan Government towards national policy change and inclusion of people with albinism.

We were very happy to be able to continue to support their incredible work in both of these facets with a CDD of £15,000 in July of 2022. We then heard back from Andrew and Jane in November, with a report on their progress. With our funding, they were able to provide 4 lifesaving surgeries for people with albinism in Uganda, an incredible aid to both them and their wider families.

.

5

Let Yourself Trust

We continue to be astonished with Advantage Africa's ability to stretch every penny to the most vulnerable places, and look forward to hearing more on their vital work in refugee camps.

Additionally, a vast number of families were aided via their emergency fund support, as well as ongoing skin cancer prevention and care in vast areas of Uganda. Jane mentions there is no other practice support like this across Uganda, and that the impact is immense.

The support given to the refugee program was equally life changing. Each person in the camp is given $3USD a month to face all of their needs. This is obviously vastly inadequate, and as such many people are starving. Advantage Africa were able to use part of LYT’s funding for both skin clinics and food aid, giving maize flour to supplement their one meal a day with something of substance. Special treats were also provided during the skin clinics.

Additionally, their work with refugees with albinism in Ugandan settlements was highlighted at the UN General Assembly in October, as they continue to push for large scale solutions within the camp.

6

Let Yourself Trust

We continue to be amazed at how Advantage Africa stretch every penny to vulnerable people in Africa, and we look forward to continuing to hear about their incredible work.

THE CONGO TREE

The Congo Tree believe in developing the skills of young people and supporting them to become the next generation of leaders, which is particularly needed in such a complex environment such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Their major project is their WYLD Programme, which equips young people with transferable ‘life’ and leadership skills, supports them with mentoring, and encourages them to get involved in their community. Their mentoring programme has created a bridge and an informal platform between young people from different ethnic groups and backgrounds, particularly in Rutshuru and Masisi; two areas still coping with active violence and conflict, as well as dealing with their respective histories.

Through peer-learning techniques, WYLD aims to build skills in problem-solving, communication, creativity, enterprise and leadership with integrity. Designed to work specifically with young people who are growing up in difficult contexts, giving young people the space to dream, the support to achieve and the tools to overcome barriers builds resilience, opportunities and, most importantly, hope for a positive future.

In an example of this, there is conflict and violence in the Eastern part of DRC and the young people of the Congo Tree have been peacemakers this year, passing on messages of peace to their family and friends, which has had considerable impact.

The major need and challenge that they have faced and continue to face as The Congo Tree (TCT) is not having the security of a permanent office and building/compound space that they can use for their operations and programmes. It is

7

Let Yourself Trust

a standing item of concern for them and it uses a lot of the time and energy in terms of management. For the past few years they have been renting a compound that they have named 'The Treehouse' which operates as a multi-purpose space for young people to come to enjoy our programmes and access training, and to more generally act as a safe space, as well as being their office. It's very well-known now for young people in Goma and has the potential to meet all of their needs in terms of space for: office operations, training venue, artistic projects/studio; meeting areas; business entrepreneurship.

They are very keen to gain ownership of the Treehouse (either the current Treehouse, or a new Treehouse in a different location, if the first is not possible). Ownership means they will have independence and security as an organisation, as well as removing risks associated with landlord uncertainty - for example, the current landlord is looking to sell the space and has recently asked them for double the rent they have been paying for the past few years). However, this is not about buying a building, but about ensuring there is an enduring neutral, accessible space for young people in Goma where they can feel safe and free to express themselves. It will also allow them to focus their energy and resources onto other critical strategic pieces such as running their projects in other parts of North Kivu and elsewhere in the east of Congo, which they have had to put on hold due to the added risk this would put onto the organisation at this moment.

Consequently, we were very pleased to provide the Congo Tree with a CDD of £10,000 to support their push toward a permanent settlement, as well as to continue to aid to fund their current programming.

8

Let Yourself Trust

OPEN WAY

Open Way is a charitable trust founded in 2007 to help alleviate extreme poverty in poor countries. Currently, Open Way is supporting important work in Ethiopia. Open Way provides access to the most essential needs for a healthy life, namely: access to basic education, food and water support, shelter, and access to medical help.

The situation in Ethiopia remains very tough at present and there is unfortunately a very deep humanitarian crisis there because of the war in the North and drought in the South and East. Many people have been displaced and are facing extreme food shortage due to the disastrous civil war that began in Tigray in November 2020. More and more soldiers and civilians are being drawn into the conflict and the shadow of the war is now looming fully across Ethiopia. The situation in Addis Ababa has been very tense as rebel armies have expressed their determination to march upon the capital and seize control and people have been living in fear. There are deep ethnic tensions in the country which are not going to be easily resolved and it is difficult to know how the situation will play out. In the Sidamo region (about 300 km south of Addis Ababa) where most of their projects are based, the impact of the war is less direct but is being felt economically. These factors and others have led to extremely high food inflation and sadly, there is a lot of desperation. Security is also generally fragile around the country with religious and ethnic clashes occurring unrelated to the war.

Consequently, Open Way focus their efforts in 4 parts:

1. Medical

2. Housing

3. Educational Work

4. The Elderly

Open Way provides funds that enable vulnerable people to gain access to medical assistance by paying for medical costs, transport to clinics or hospitals, and accommodation while waiting for treatment. People with a very wide variety of medical conditions such as cancer, cataracts and other eye problems, goitre, typhus, typhoid fever, complications from HIV, scabies, malnutrition, leprosy, TB and many other ailments, as well as accidents and emergencies, have been helped. Open Way helps around 200 people every year in this way.

Vulnerable people sometimes find themselves in a position where their traditional mud house is in a state of collapse. This may apply to someone who can't work and who has no family members supporting them and therefore has no means to repair their house. Open Way constructs simple houses for people who find themselves in this situation. They have completed building 23 houses in the last 12 months. These cost about £500 each to build using local labour. On average, there are 4 or 5 people in each family helped, so Open Way have housed over 100 people in the last 12 months.

In collaboration with the rural communities where they work, Open Way have funded the establishment and running of eight pre-schools in different villages to help children get a start in education. Over 1,000 children from very poor families are currently receiving free pre-school education. The schools give an important free start in

9

Let Yourself Trust

education to children who, otherwise, are likely to remain illiterate working watching cattle or doing work in the home. They also give opportunities for college graduates to teach, and they have had many of their teachers pass through into government training and employment on the back of their employment with Open Way.

Additionally, 5 of the schools to date have established libraries. Students use the school libraries to study, read stories, complete homework, play games and watch television. This all offers enormous educational value for the children. Adults from the villages use the libraries in the evenings to watch (solar powered) television and to get together and meet. This is really valued by local people who otherwise have no such opportunity (there is no electricity in any of the school villages except for Teferi Kela). The families of very malnourished children attending the schools are also given some material and nutritional support. Extra grain and seedlings are provided to families for both short and long term support. Over 400 families received cassava and banana seedlings in the last 12 months.

There is no social security system in rural Ethiopia and so if an elderly person has no one to provide for them, they can find themselves in a very difficult situation at the end of their lives. Open Way has continued to support 16 elderly people who have no family or other support with a small pension and other essentials such as clothes, soap, food and blankets.

Open Way complete all of this life changing work and more on the astonishingly small budget of £40k a year. They have no salary costs or administration costs in the UK and all travel and accommodation expenses when trustees visit the projects in Ethiopia are paid personally. This allows all Open Way funds to go directly to relieve suffering and help people out of hopeless poverty.

We were extremely pleased to be able to support the above incredible work with a donation of £30,000 this financial year. The thousands of people who have and will receive lifesaving, life building care as a result of this gift is a true tribute to our generous donors.

10

Let Yourself Trust

THE MILKWOOD PROJECT

Finally, our fifth partner of the year brought us back to the UK.

The Milkwood Project is a non-profit CIC (Community Interest Company) based in a rural Pembrokeshire woodland. A new creation borne out of Covid's isolation, they offer to teach and promote green wood working to all including those with limited mobility, small groups and individuals. Their principal focus is providing access to vulnerable adults to outdoor woodland activities and therapeutic woodland workshops to enhance mental health and physical wellbeing. In their first year they have run the following, among others:

1. A 6-week project for men experiencing isolation and loneliness to learn about woodcraft, cooking on a fire, and building furniture from loose wood. The outcome was enhanced skills, reduced anxiety and healthier participants.

2. A weekly whittling club of 10+ people, making friends and developing empathy. 3. A series of 6 woodland activities for men who are unpaid carers learning to make spoons, furniture from spare wood, and making tracks in the woodland.

Milkwood always use materials sourced locally within 2 miles, as well as locally recycled materials.

We were thus very happy to provide this wonderful, fledgling new project with a CDD of £2,500. We so look forward to seeing how they grow in their community outreach in a lovely and needed area of support.

11

Let Yourself Trust Financial revlew As eath 6 rn￿thS brings a signfficant emptying of the coffers. Let YOu￿ff Twst is quite pleased with eominuatitin trf sustainable income via rts cu￿ent 500+ ThM)nthly (k)nors. This datsbase of monthly stsnth'ng orders is vital to Let Yourself. afid this generous and committed support has created a fc￿r￿￿8tic￿ and budget that has conts'nued to grow &ich year. and that. ak)ng wilh one off d￿ationS throughout the year. leads us to be in a surplus at the end of Ihis reporting perK¥J. With thrs dependable funding Comes the abilty to inLrease charitstde expendrture beyond vo moin 6 monlh projects via Community Development Donations (CDD), thus livering geator impacl among vuinefable people via our curroni and fvture partners. Soveral suth opportunilies ocLurrd during this financial year in our providin9 a Communty Development DwafK)n to two brand new partnets as well as one of our 5Yeviovs projerts. in Africa, ￿th a badty needed boost of sup The charitys policy on reserves In order to meet commitments to current and firture partners. the Trustees Dire¢tor aim to maintain a level of reserves thal will wotect the tharrty against any dramatic fal in unrestricted irKome or unexpected rise in cxpendituro. As a genefal principle, they consider thai Let Ywrself I wst sFK)uld ffkointain J rninimum of L8.IXK) to maximum ol £12.OCK) in reserves betvffjgn six M￿thS of txjdgeted expen¢Sture. During 202￿023 reseryes remairtred within Ihe target range. Fir￿n¢la1 risks Let y￿(self Trust have Teviewed the risks fa*J by tharity wotking from wilhin the UK and operatiw internat1(X￿￿Y with few empk)yees. and MC￿thlY dat¥ and financial reports are usod to ffK)nitrK these risks. Additior41 inforniation To date {thrcKJgh 2023), Lyf has worf(cd in 18 Countr￿. Wost Bar& Paloslne. &iza. Guatemaa, Wales. I￿arth, Canada. E"ngland. America. Indo. Europe (Bclgivm). Konya. Tanzan￿. .knuth Africa, Haiti. ￿)xIco, Ethiopia. the DenK)cratic Republic of C(w and Nepal. In its last financial year dong. and during a global rise in Cr￿ of living. Lot Yoursdf Trttst has ffode a direct drfferer￿£ to thousaTrJs of people in S drfferent C￿￿trIeS facing extremely difficum Circumstsnces, granting a total of £82,500 10 5 different oiects. We wntinue io do cw srTdl part in a thfficutt post-pandem¢ in¢yeased cost of livin9 world, and woukj like to thank C￿r loyal supporters, WFtW whom nme of this would bo possible. SigrbBd ￿ bthajf of the tharitys trustees." Date 2)-.oS R(yr Oldfield. I rustee 12

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Let Yourself Trust for the period ended 28 February 2023

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Let Yourself Trust (the charity) for the period ended 28 February 2023.

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 matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

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.

Signed ____ Date _______ John O’Brien MSc, FCCA, FCIE Employee of Community Accounting Plus

13

Let Yourself Trust Receipts & payments account for the period ended 28 February 2023

2022 £ Note Receipts 92423 Donations & fundraising 16710 Gift aid 109133 Total receipts Payments 32 Bank & PayPal charges - Computer costs 77800 Donations paid 2 50 Equipment 16 General expenses 112 Hospitality & refreshments - Insurance 605 Accountancy & payroll fees 294 Postage 1518 Printing & stationery 30002 Salaries & NI 702 Telephone & internet 80 Trips & travel expenses 420 Website costs 111631 Total payments (2498) Net receipts/(payments) 56592 Cash funds at start of this period 54094 Cash funds at end of this period	2023 £ 100926 21041
	121967
	614 161 82500 427 558 - 108 1297 306 1770 30312 692 147 288
	119180 2787 54094
	56881

14

Let Yourself Trust Statement of assets and liabilities at 28 February 2023 2023 Cash assets 54094 Ba￿ acaxrts 56881 Other monetary assets Debtors- Gift ad 21041 21041 15846 L4?bililips Creéito 1108 (1108) .(11351 1135 These financial statements are ￿ted on t*hall ol the charity by: Signed _ Ruth Okffield. Tw51ee Dat￿ 2 )-. OP. 2c.2 P 15

Let Yourself Trust Notes to the accounts for the period ended 28 February 2023

1. Receipts & payments accounts

Receipts and payments accounts contain a summary of money received and money spent during the period and a list of assets and liabilities at the end of the period. Usually, cash received and cash spent will include transactions through bank accounts and cash in hand.

2. Donations paid

£ HAFWAY UK 25000 Advantage Africa CDD - Refugee Project & Albinism 15000 The Congo Tree CDD - Dem Rep of Congo 10000 Open Way 30000 The Milkwood Project CIC 2500 82500

3. Creditors

Independent examination fee Salaries & NI (HMRC)	£ 492 643
	1135

4. Trustees’ remuneration

Trustees received no expenses, remuneration or benefits in this period.

5. Glossary of terms

Creditors: These are amounts owed by the charity, but not paid during the accounting period.

Debtors: These are amounts owed to the charity, but not received in the accounting period.

16