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Registered Charity No.1167084 [England & Wales]
PURSUIT INTERNATIONAL
2024 AT A GLANCE
1 New vision and mission statement in action
17 Young Adults Supported through RAMP
4
RAMP graduates
2
~~Dn~~ ANNUAL REPORT 2024
2 New RAMP members
2
New project partnerships in process
5 UK Team members or Trustees visited partners projects in Kolkata
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PURSUIT INTERNATIONAL
A MESSAGE FROM OUR TRUSTEES
Welcome to the Pursuit Annual report for 2024.
2024 has been an exciting year of changes for Pursuit.
Following the finalising of our new vision and mission in 2023 and the move by our partners in India to a more community-centred approach in the work they do with children and families, members of our UK Team visited our partners to discuss where we could work together to improve holistic outcomes for children, young people and their families.
By the end of the year, we agreed funding for a new project in Kolkata (Ashar Kiron) which provides quality, day time care for children in poverty. You can read more about this project in this report or on our website.
In the meantime, the work of RAMP continued to support young people coming out of residential care to become independent adults. We are very grateful for the work of RAMPs mentors, whose dedication to the project is instrumental in its success.
The other big change this year was that our Chair of Trustees, Andy Hickford, came to the end of his third term and therefore had to step down in accordance with our governing document. Andy has been Chair since the inception of Pursuit and we will miss his invaluable input. We wish him all the best in his new ventures.
2025 promises to be a year of growth and expansion with all the challenges that it brings.
As always, thank you for your interest in the work of Pursuit and we hope you find this report an encouragement.
Andy Hickford Chair of Trustees
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDERS
2024 has been an enormously exciting year for Pursuit.
A couple of years ago, we began to feel that our vision and mission for Pursuit needed a revamp. Over time, our direction of travel had to change, so the landscape we navigated had to change too. We felt it was time to find something more fitting for where we had grown to as an organization. By the end of 2023, in consultation with the team in the UK, India and our trustees, we developed “ some new statements to direct us.
Armed with these new statements (which you can read later on in the report), 2024 has been characterised by looking for opportunities to put them into practice.
This was the focus of our trip to Kolkata in December. We were keen to explore how we could resource and equip families in poverty to care for their children at home and provide early intervention for vulnerable children and young-people, particularly for children cared for by alternative carers such as kinship carers.
It was a really fruitful trip, and we are delighted to share that one of the outcomes of this was a new partnership. We introduce you to our new partner project, Ashar Kiron, later in the report. In addition to this partnership, there were many other avenues explored which we look forward to pursuing further in 2025.
Visiting our beloved RAMP project, and sharing in yet another graduation ceremony, was also another highlight. As ever, it was profoundly moving and completely riotous in equal measure! It was particularly special sharing all this with our youngest daughter, who was visiting with us for the first time.
We are enormously grateful for the army of support in the form of team, trustees, staff in partner projects in India and faithful financial givers, who enable us the privilege of continuing on in our Pursuit.We hope you are as encouraged and inspired as we are, by the stories of our beneficiaries, as you read on.
Until next year, Janealam and Naomi Sheikh Co-Founders
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PURSUIT INTERNATIONAL
OUR PURSUIT
OUR OFFICIAL CHARITY OBJECTIVE
Pursuit International works for the prevention or relief of poverty or financial hardship anywhere in the world by providing or 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 self-sufficient.
OUR VISION
Pursuing a world where every child and young person belongs and thrives
OUR MISSION
With children and young people at the heart of all we do, we support them, their care-givers and their communities, and work to break cycles of disadvantage, trauma and injustice.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024
OUR VALUES:
We are relational
Community and personal relationships underpin all that we do. We put the needs of others before ourselves and are stronger when we work together.
We are dignifying & respectful
Our words and actions have power. We treat everyone with dignity and respect, recognising that we all add value with equal worth.
We are innovative
We will be creative in our approach, not letting the fear of making mistakes stop us from trying.
We have integrity
We tell the truth and are open about our motivations. We will be good stewards of what we have, strive to act ethically and take our social responsibility seriously.
We are loving
We will show grace and perseverance in all that we do. We believe in countless second chances, and dedicate ourselves to a love that goes the extra mile.
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PURSUIT INTERNATIONAL
WHAT OUR PURSUIT LOOKED LIKE IN 2024
RAMP
It has been our privilege this year to walk alongside 17 young people through our RAMP programme, which exists to support young people leaving residential care settings. RAMP provides personalised, transitional support through 1:1 mentoring, so that young people leaving care can become independent, self-sufficient and responsible adults.
Our brilliant mentors, Dennis and Nisha, provide a holistic programme, tailored to the individual, focusing on physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, lifeskills and employability.
Summing up the year, our RAMP mentors say:
“ I’ve had a truly rewarding experience working with the young individuals in our project RAMP. One of the most fulflling aspects was being able to listen to their challenges and personal situations, which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of their unique struggles and aspirations. By doing so, I was able to provide guidance and support that helped them tap into their inner potential, empowering them to grow and develop in ” meaningful ways.
[Dennis, our boys mentor]
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024
“ It’s a great joy to work for young people whom I’m passionate about, it’s a blessing to have an environment which is more like family. It’s an opportunity to work with RAMP girls, to be with them and also learn from them. ”
[Nisha, our girls mentor]
In 2024, we had the joy of celebrating four young people graduating from the RAMP programme. We always strive to ensure that the event is led by the graduates themselves- an opportunity for them to reflect on their remarkable achievements and their journey to date. It’s extremely important to us that our young people feel ownership and control over how their stories are shared, and so it is always their choice to share whatever they want
to share, however they wish to share it. We are always profoundly humbled by how much gratitude the young people choose to express, for all sorts of different significant individuals who have positively impacted their lives. However Dennis and Nisha’s names come up time and time again.
As ever, there was an abundance of food, cake, confetti cannons, tears and laughter.
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PURSUIT INTERNATIONAL
In addition to the graduation celebrations, some other highlights of the year included Christmas caroling door to door in December. Our young people always love this occasion, where they are able to bring joy and cheer to the communities they visit, but also have a brilliant time being together, laughing, singing and getting into the festive spirit!
As a critical part of our RAMP programme, young people are encouraged to look at ways they can be a positive force for good in the city. It’s always one of the young people’s favourite parts of the programme, and we’re humbled and inspired to see how many get involved, giving so willingly of their time, efforts and also their own money. Once again this year, our RAMP young people chose to distribute blankets in winter to people in the homeless community. They were all very moved to be a part of it, and grateful for the experience. We know it
will have a powerful impact on not only the recipients of the blankets, but the young people themselves too.
It’s always exciting for us to look at the diversity of the different paths our young people are pursuing. It’s testament to the groups wonderful diversity, but also to the hard-work and efforts of our mentors, helping the young people find courses and parttime work that reflects their brilliant individuality and helps them follow their skills, strengths and areas of interest.
This year has been no different, with young people doing all sorts of things ranging from working in cafes, teaching in Kindergarten, learning to cook the perfect pizza, training as a refrigeration engineer, to dog-training! The best way to report on all that they have been working towards in 2024, is to share what the young people have to say about it themselves.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024
STORIES FROM OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
“
I’ve accomplished many small things this year. But the one thing that I’m so proud of is that now I’m living a happy life ... I’m really happy for the work I’m doing right now . That is working in a café- and learning more good things.
”
[A member of RAMP]
“
I found great joy in learning new life skills and expanding - my horizons. I dedicated time to developing a better work life balance, which allowed me to be more present and more focused in my professional endeavours. One of my accomplishments was getting graduated and also doing my AIFF ‘D’ License. It was challenging at frst, but with consistent efort, I began to converse more comfortably, which brought a sense of accomplishment. As I refect on this journey, it’s a reminder that growth happens gradually, and every small step leads to something big.
”
[A member of RAMP]
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PURSUIT INTERNATIONAL
“
‘The RAMP program has been instrumental in my academic journey. I am thrilled to be joining the prestigious George Telegraph Institute, and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to RAMP for their invaluable support and guidance throughout my studies. I am forever grateful to RAMP for the numerous skills and values I acquired in 2024, including efective money management, family care, balancing parttime work, and fostering meaningful relationships with my peers. These experiences have not only shaped me into a more responsible individual but also broadened my perspective on life.
”
[A member of RAMP]
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024
“
In 2024 I have joined (work) in a cafe and I am happy and learning new things and also making new friends.
”
[A member of RAMP]
“
I am a Pre-kindergarten Teacher. But due to an emergency situation, I got the privilege of teaching the Kindergarten Children from the mid-term and it has been a good time for me to teach them and learn so many things from them as well.
”
[A member of RAMP]
“
I’m learning new skills, such as cooking a variety of dishes like pizza and burgers. I’m really enjoying the process and I’m hopeful that it will lead to a better life for me. I believe that my dreams can become a reality as long as I don’t give up on them.
”
[A member of RAMP]
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PURSUIT INTERNATIONAL
NEW IN 2024
ASHAR KIRON
We are delighted to share that at the end of 2024, Pursuit began supporting a new project, Asha Kiron-A day care centre in Kolkata.
In India, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of children, potentially even millions, are growing up in institutionalised care. More often than not, children are placed in homes, simply because of poverty. We work to ensure that poverty is never a reason for a child to be separated from their family.
Asha Kiron is a simple but powerful solution to a significant problem faced by many families in poverty: choosing between keeping children safe and working to earn for the family.
Some of our team were able to visit Asha Kiron in December. They arrived just after school closing hours, a time
when children would otherwise be returning home to their communities alone while their care-givers worked, leaving them enormously vulnerable. Instead, Asha Kiron is a safe-haven to see children through the after-school hours while their care-givers work. Our team had the chance to join a big group of children for a cricket match, share nutritious snacks, and watch as a group of 20+ children sat with a Hindi tutor providing additional learning support. It was a privilege to experience how this project is not just able to provide safety, but is also finding ways to meaningfully enrich the lives of the children it protects, during the hours they spend there.
We look forward to reporting on its impact in 2025.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024
LOOKING AHEAD T0 2025
The end of 2024 held the opportunity to begin exploring other opportunities to get behind community-based support that aims to:
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Resource and equip families in poverty to care for their children at home.
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Provide early intervention for vulnerable children and youngpeople, to prevent situations escalating into unsafe living situations.
explore fostering and adoption opportunities, to ensure children and young people who are unable to be cared for by biological parents, remain within family settings.
- Ensure that residential care homes, where necessary, provide the highest level of care possible.
We look forward to sharing next year how some of these opportunities have developed further.
- Resource and equip alternative carers such as kinship carers, and “
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PURSUIT INTERNATIONAL
GIVING AT A GLANCE
TOTAL INCOME £28,599
REGULAR DONORS 55 at the end of 2024
TOTAL EXPENDITURE £30,426
£142
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Promotion
-
Communication
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Fundraising
This was mainly undertaken free of charge by volunteers
£11,248
- Administration
£19,000
- Spent directly on our projects and those we support
We have a reserves policy that states our reserves must not fall below our running costs for six months.
Primary Bankers:
Barclays Bank PLC, Chapel House, 1 Chapel Road, Worthing BN11 1EX Unity Trust Bank PLC, PO Box 7193, Planetary Road, Willenhall, WV1 9DG
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024 ~~a~~
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Trustees recognise their obligation to ensure that the funds of the charity are used for public benefit.
In 2024 the following served as trustees:
Andrew Hickford (to 25/11/24) Sue Jenkins Steve Tucker
Pursuit International is a CIO - Foundation (registered 26th October 2016) with a Governing Document. The minimum number of trustees is three. Trustees are appointed by resolution at a properly convened trustees meeting. In selecting trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed by Pursuit International.
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PURSUIT INTERNATIONAL
OUR TEAM
In 2024, the following served on the team:
As well as a Board of Trustees, Pursuit International has an Executive Management Team who looks after communications, finance and other day-to-day activities that make the organisation run.
Jane’alam Sheikh Naomi Sheikh Ruth Brown James Cobbett Rebecca Little Phil Papps Piero Regnante Chloe Satchell-Cobbett
The team comprises both volunteer and paid members.
JOIN THE PURSUIT
FOLLOW
GIVE
If you’re down with the kids you can check us out on Facebook and Instagram. But the real magic happens when you sign up to our mailing list: contact@pursuitinternational.org
FUNDRAISE
If you want to get involved and spread the word, that sounds flipping brilliant to us. Head to our website to download our fundraising pack. pursuitinternational.org/fundraise
On average, an entire month of RAMP costs just £100 for one young person. You don’t have to give us £100 (although if you would like to that would be lovely) but a little goes a long way in Kolkata. £12 provides a month’s rent in safe accommodation, and £30 could give a month of life-skills training and mentoring. But whatever you can afford would be brilliant.
pursuitinternational.org/donate
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Registered Charity number: 1167084 (England & Wales) Registered Address: Pursuit International, 79 Upton Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1BY
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Pursuit International Charity Number 1167084 Receipts and Payments Accounts Including Independent Examiner’s Report Year to 31[st] December 2024
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Restricted | Total | General | Restricted | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS | ||||||
| Receipts | ||||||
| Donations - General | £ 22,514 | £ 22,514 | £ 14,096 | £14,096 | ||
| Donations for Projects | £ 6,085 | £ 6,085 | £ 6,322 | £ 6,322 | ||
| Total Receipts | £ 22,514 | £ 6,085 | £ 28,599 | £ 14,096 | £ 6,322 | £ 20,418 |
| Payments | ||||||
| Charitable Activities- | ||||||
| Grants Disbursed to Projects | £ 12,100 | £ 6,900 | £ 19,000 | £ 6,533 | £ 8,467 | £15,000 |
| Promotion & Fundraising | £ 142 | £ - | £ 142 | £ - | £ - | £ - |
| Administration-Note 1 | £ 11,284 | £ - | £ 11,284 | £ 6,228 | £ - | £ 6,228 |
| Total Payments | £ 23,526 | £ 6,900 | £ 30,426 | £ 12,761 | £ 8,467 | £ 21,228 |
| Net Receipts/(Payments) | (£ 1,012) | (£ 815) | (£ 1,827) | £ 1,335 | (£2,145) (£ 810) | (£2,145) (£ 810) |
| CASH FUNDS AT 1.1.23 | £73,626 | £ 922 | £ 74,548 | £ 72,291 | £ 3,067 | £ 75,358 |
| CASH FUNDS AT 31.12.24 | £72,614 | £ 107 | £ 72,721 | £73,626 | £ 922 | £ 74,548 |
| ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||||
| Assets | ||||||
| Barclays Bank PLC | ||||||
| Account 70610968 | £53,459 | £ 107 | £53,566 | £73,626 | £ 922 £74,548 | £ 922 £74,548 |
| Unity Trust Bank | ||||||
| Account Number 20515274 | £10,788 | £ - | £10,788 | £ - | £ - | £ - |
| Account Number 20515287 | £ 9,159 | £ - | £ 9,159 | £ - | £ - | £ - |
| Total Assets | £73,406 | £ 107 | £73,513 | £ 73,626 | £ 922 | £ 74,548 |
| Liabilities (Cont’d Page 2) |
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Pursuit International Charity Number 1167084 Receipts and Payments Accounts Including Independent Examiner’s Report Year to 31[st] December 2024
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Restrictd | Total | General | Restrictd | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| Liabilities | ||||||
| Invoices & Payments Due | (£ 792) | £ - | (£ 792) | £ - | £ - £ - | £ - £ - |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS AT 31.12.24 | £72,614 | £ 107 | £ 72,721 | £73,626 | £ 922 | £ 74,548 |
Signed on Behalf of the Trustees
Signed: Sue Jenkins
Print Name: Sue Jenkins
Date: 24[th] March 2025
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Pursuit International Charity Number 1167084 Receipts and Payments Accounts Including Independent Examiner’s Report Year to 31[st] December 2024
NOTES TO ACCOUNTS
| 1. Administration Costs | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Manager (i) | £ 7,562 | £3,792 |
| Project Audit Visits (ii) | £ 2,728 | £1,788 |
| Insurance | £ 194 | £ 179 |
| Subscriptions, Software & Training | £ 317 | £ 241 |
| General | £ 198 | £ 96 |
| Bank & Other Finance Charges | £ 285 | £ 132 |
| Total Administration Costs | £11,284 | £6,228 |
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(i) The Operations Manager post is part-time and the current post holder is contracted on a self-employed basis.
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(ii) During 2024, there were 3 visits to Projects funded in whole or part by the Charity and to potential new funding opportunities. There visits were undertaken by the Operations Manager and 3 volunteer team members who reported back to the Trustees.
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Pursuit International Charity Number 1167084 Receipts and Payments Accounts Including Independent Examiner’s Report Year to 31[st] December 2024
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Pursuit International (“the Trust”) on pages 1 to 3, for the year ended 31st December 2024.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
As the charity trustees of Pursuit International, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and that an Independent Examination is needed.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: D. Doherty
Print Name: David Doherty Date: 31[st] March 2025 Address : 32, BN11 7ER
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