Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] January 2023 ( Period start date) To 31[st] December 2023 ( Period end date)
Charity name: YouCanFreeUs
Charity registration number: 1175146
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purpose of the charity as set out in its governing document.
1. YouCanFreeUs in the world
YouCanFreeUs is an international human rights organisation that is fighting modern slavery around the world through advocacy, rescue and rehabilitation since 2010. It is a non-profit organisation registered in the USA, Canada, India, Norway, and the UK.
YouCanFreeUs advocacy includes: awareness campaigns through fashion, art and sports; educational workshops in schools, corporations and prisons; and public policy and private sector consulting. YouCanFreeUs also operates a child learning and development centre to support children proven to be vulnerable to modern slavery.
YouCanFreeUs has rescued and successfully rehabilitated hundreds of women and children in its safe houses and training centres. It offers long-term care for victims of modern slavery (up to 24 months) that includes medical treatment, food and accommodation, counselling, vocational training and employment opportunities.
YouCanFreeUs currently operates 4 safe houses and 2 training centers in India. In Ukraine it supports war victims vulnerable to human trafficking through other organisations in Odessa and the surrounding region. Activities in all other countries are dedicated to local advocacy and fundraising to support the operations in India and Ukraine.
2. YouCanFreeUs - UK
YouCanFreeUs UK operates in collaboration with YouCanFreeUs in other parts of the world with the same overall mission and branding but with specific strategic targets.
In the UK, YouCanFreeUs is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) since October 2017. The Objectives of the CIO as stated in the governing document presented and approved by the Charity Commission are the following:
‘To promote human rights (as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent United Nations Conventions and Declarations and the European Convention on Human Rights) by all or any of the following means:
- (1) The relief and assistance of people in need in any part of the world, who are victims of modern slavery/human trafficking, including: forced labour, commercial sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude; by providing them with long-term care, protection, -
rehabilitation tools and opportunities for self development, offering accommodation,
medical care, legal and emotional support, life skills training, specialised vocational training and employment opportunities.
- (2) Raising awareness of, and promoting public support for, human rights issues affecting victims of slavery/human trafficking including: forced labour, commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, in any part of the world, by providing information through educational programmes in schools, corporations, civic societies, churches and any other body.
For the purpose of this clause, Modern Slavery is the term used in the UK as defined within the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Act categorises offences of Slavery, Servitude and Forced or Compulsory Labour and Human Trafficking.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
In 2023 YouCanFreeUs UK continued to engage with leaders of other organisations, governments and multilateral institutions regarding the topic of Modern Slavery.
Fundraising was conducted for:
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The continuing and expanding operations of India safe houses, training centres and support for children vulnerable to forced labour and human trafficking.
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Ukraine where YouCanFreeUs continued to support war widows vulnerable to exploitation and human trafficking.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Contribution made by volunteers.
YouCanFreeUs UK is entirely operated by volunteers and no remuneration was paid by the charity to any individual for services rendered.
Achievements and Performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.
In India YouCanFreeUs continued and expanded its programmes aimed at Modern Slavery prevention, and the rescue and rehabilitation of victims of Modern Slavery. Key achievements for the year were:
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38 women and children were rescued from modern slavery, 26 in Mumbai and 12 in Kolkatta,
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133 women were enrolled in vocational training, computer literacy and English language instruction,
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13 verified war widows and their children were given key living support in Ukraine,
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244 vulnerable children were enrolled in a child labour prevention programme involving life skills sessions, computer training and English language instruction.
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Life skills and medical help was given to victim shelters run by the Indian government. YouCanFreeUs continues to work closely with local government officials to combat Modern Slavery,
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A new shelter home was inaugurated in Kolkatta and is already operating at capacity.
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the reporting period the charity held a balance of GBP 25,373 |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity retains a positive bank balance deemed sufficient to run its anticipated advocacy and fund raising operations throughout the next year. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Reserves are targeted to be retained at GBP 20,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | n/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | n/a |
YouCanFr••Ug 1175146 nnual a¢counts for the orlod 01K111202J Jim01) Sectbon A Stalom•nt of flnanclal actlvltbos (Includlng summary Incom• and •xp•ndliur• account) Prf•ry•ar R•¢offlrMnd•d c•1••$ ty •c¥vlty Tclal kncom• (Not• Jl F01 F02 F03 F04 F05 303 303 28 47 47 27 Tol•l E¥P•duI• (Notu 61 5738 152 707 707 140 140 369 Tot M•t Inc•rn•ll•xp•ndltur•l b•fm forth• r•p•rtlng p•rlod 4,891 N•t Ineom•ll•xp•ndltur•l aft•rt4x b•torn Inv•8tm•nt 91188•$I M•t Ineom•ll•xp•ndltur•l ExtraordlDy It•m Ttnf•rn b•tW lund• Oth•r r•coqnh•d 8bnslllosMsl: J¥•tm?v•m•ftl th fvftds 4.891 4.057 lund#.' 20.482 25.373 20,482 16,425 Totalfunds carrf•d fonv¥d
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Memorandum & Articles of Association |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Current trustees look at the skills, knowledge and experience of potential trustees. A minimum of 3 and maximum of 7 trustees are required, and trustees are appointed for a term of 3 years by resolution at a trustee meeting. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | YouCanFreeUs |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | n/a |
| Registered charity number | 1175146 |
| Charity’s principal address | Suite # 214, 28 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, SW7 3SS |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for wholeyear |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarissa Drysdale-Anderson | Chairman of the board | ||
| Sujo John | Founder | ||
| Donald Drysdale-Anderson | Trustee | ||
| Merilyn Wilson | Trustee | ||
| Naina Sharon Anand | Trustee | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser | Name | Address | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exemptions from disclosure | ||||||
| Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details | n/a | |||||
| Declarations | ||||||
| Signature(s) | ||||||
| Full name(s) | ||||||
| Clarissa Drysdale-Anderson | Donald Drysdale-Anderson | |||||
| Position | ||||||
| Chair | Trustee | |||||
| Date | ||||||
| 31st October 2024 |