## 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.|
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|---|---|---|
|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|
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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||||||
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|||Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
N/A||||||
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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