2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1/03/2023 Period start date To 31/03/2024 Period end date

Charity name: Literacy Aid UK

Charity registration number: 1181990

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The charity provides literacy, cultural, creatve, and holistc actvites for vulnerable individuals, empowering them through educaton, creatvity, and personal growth. In additon to these initatves, the charity donates essental items such as tech equipment, literacy resources, and other educatonal materials to those who may not otherwise have the means to aford them, ensuring equal opportunites for learning and development. In recent years, the charity has received an increasing number of requests for support with the publicaton and commercialisaton of both fcton and non-fcton books. Recognising this growing need, the charity has taken steps to expand its services, implementng programs designed specifcally to assist aspiring writers, artsts, and creators. These initatves aim to provide guidance, resources, and practcal support to individuals who might never otherwise see their projects brought to life or shared with a wider audience. Whether it's helping with manuscript development, navigatng the publishing process, or understanding the commercial side of creatve work, the charity is commited to nurturing talent and providing opportunites for individuals from all backgrounds to have their voices heard and their creatve visions realised. The charity has also begun reaching out to local government bodies to explore potental partnerships. These partnerships aim to repurpose vacant / underutlised commercial spaces by transforming them into libraries, creatve hubs, and other cultural and educatonal spaces tailored to serve local communites. By advocatng for the use of these underutlised spaces, the charity seeks to create vibrant, inclusive environments where individuals can access books, engage in creatve projects, and partcipate in cultural and educatonal actvites. These spaces are envisioned as safe, welcoming places that foster community connecton, encourage lifelong learning, and inspire creatvity. Through these eforts, the charity hopes to provide valuable resources and opportunites for personal and collectve growth, partcularly in areas where such facilites are most needed.

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.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The charity provides universal and sustainable access to high-quality educatonal materials. This includes donatng books, technology, and other learning resources to underprivileged individuals, schools, and libraries, partcularly in communites that lack adequate support. By fostering a love for reading, the charity encourages a broader understanding of global cultures and perspectves. Projects such as Shared Reading create spaces where individuals can engage with inclusive and diverse literature, enhancing empathy and cultural awareness. The charity supports underserved schools, libraries, and regions with excellent global reading resources, ofering tools that are ofen unavailable in these communites. This extends to internatonal eforts. Responding to the growing demand from individuals seeking support in the publicaton and commercialisaton of their work, the charity has started ofering direct assistance to aspiring writers and artsts. This includes helping authors, both fcton and non-fcton, navigate the publishing process, ofering mentorship, resources, and workshops to turn their creatve projects into viable, marketable products. Through these eforts, individuals who would otherwise struggle to get their work published are given the tools and support to make their literary dreams a reality. As part of its ongoing eforts to beneft local communites, the charity is actvely working with government bodies to negotate partnerships that allow vacant commercial spaces to be repurposed for cultural, educatonal, and creatve actvites. These spaces are transformed into libraries, creatve hubs, and community centres that ofer a wide range of services to residents. By turning unused spaces into vibrant community assets, the charity creates opportunites for learning, creatvity, and social connecton.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees had had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public beneft.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38

Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Volunteers are essental to the charity’s success, contributng in various impactul ways. They assist with running key initatves like Shared Reading Circles and with the publishing support for aspiring writers. They also regularly engage with trustees to provide feedback on programs and suggest improvements. For example, those helping with the publishing of manuscripts ofer insights on how to refne the process, ensuring it beter serves aspiring writers. This ongoing feedback helps the charity’s initatves stay relevant and efectve.
Other		The charity has ofcially launched a branch in London and is now on the lookout for the perfect spot to set up its headquarters. This expansion comes from recognising the lack of support in London for the kind of support and services that have made such a diference in Sunderland and nearby areas. By extending our reach, we aim to provide aspiring writers and creatve artsts in London with the same opportunites we’ve ofered in Sunderland and the surrounding areas. This includes guidance on publishing, mentorship programs, and workshops to help creatves turn their ideas into reality. Beyond that, we’ll be bringing our community-focused initatves, like Shared Reading Circles and access to inclusive libraries. It’s an excitng step toward reaching more people and making an even bigger diference.

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
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.	Para 1.20	By teaming up with other charites and social enterprises, Literacy Aid UK gives its benefciaries access to a wider range of services they might not get otherwise. For example, working with organisatons that focus on mental health or job training means people can get the specifc help they need, like counselling or career support, alongside what Literacy Aid UK already ofers. This kind of collaboraton makes it easier for benefciaries to overcome challenges and work toward their goals. On a bigger scale, these partnerships make a diference for society too. They bring organisatons together to tackle issues like unemployment and educaton gaps, creatng stronger communites and more efectve support systems for everyone. Supportng aspiring writers and artsts through the publishing process can be life-changing for the benefciaries. It gives them the tools and confdence to share their work, opening opportunites for recogniton, fnancial independence, and personal fulflment. By providing mentorship, resources, and workshops, the charity helps individuals develop skills, navigate complex publishing systems, and transform their creatve visions into tangible achievements. For society, this support amplifes diverse voices, enriching cultural landscapes with stories and art from underrepresented perspectves. It fosters creatvity, promotes inclusivity, and inspires others to pursue their passions. Additonally, successful artsts and writers ofen contribute to the economy and community through their work, creatng a ripple efect of cultural and economic benefts. Pursuing initatves that provide long-term support helps benefciaries build the stability and confdence they need to integrate into society and achieve their goals. Whether it’s ofering vocatonal training, mental health resources, or educatonal opportunites, these eforts empower individuals to overcome barriers, gain independence, and work toward fulflling careers or personal aspiratons. For society, these endeavours create a more inclusive and equitable environment. By equipping individuals with the tools to succeed,the charityreduces social inequalites and

promotes economic growth. This not only benefits the individuals directly involved but also strengthens communities, fosters social cohesion, and contributes to a more supportive and productive society overall.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	0
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The charity holds £7.50 in reserves.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£7.50
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	The charity has operated without any grants, external funding, or donatons. All contributons from trustees and volunteers have been entrely pro bono.
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document	Para 1.25	Memorandum and Artcles of Associaton
How is the charity constituted?	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	The charity is recruitng trustees via its partners. It is only the chair that identfes suitable candidates and informs the rest of the trustees at the board meetngs. New trustees receive an inducton and informaton pack. The trustees are actvely engaged with the charity’s strategic directon and policy. They discuss and approve a strategic plan every year.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and Para 1.51 training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Literacy Aid UK CIO
Other name the charity uses	N/A
Registered charity number	1181990
Charity’s principal address	27 Norfolk Street, SR1 1EE, Sunderland

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
		Catalin Constantine					Catalin Constantine
		Walatta Israel Trew
		Dan Makaveli
		Sarah Robson
		Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A
		Director name
		N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity

Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for N/A 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 Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Catalin Constantine

Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc)

Date 5/01/2025