Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From July 2023 Period start date To June 2024 Period end date
Charity name: Better Together
Charity registration number:1183516
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects clause mentions education and leisure time occupation facilities for the benefit of residents of Smethwick. |
| 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 |
People whose first language is not English are invited to a conversation café. There is no assessment as an entry requirement and simple refreshments are free. Those attending build confidence. This group meets most weeks throughout the year. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Directors (trustees) offer this activity as a public benefit to residents of Smethwick and the surrounding area. The majority of them act as volunteers to keep this activity running. |
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 | The charity currently has only one activity, which is dependent on loyal volunteers. |
Other
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 | Beneficiaries generally attend ESOL classes as well as the café. Proficiency in spoken/written English is not measured by examination within the conversation café – case studies show students’ confidence grows. Continuing with the activity keeps the building “on the map” and students come to join us at the start of term. Better Together is a member of Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
We rate this period as “holding our own”. An increase in volunteers would allow for recruiting more attendees/beneficiaries, possibly greater opening hours. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | National Lottery extended our time for using the grant. Further fundraising activities must now follow to secure the future of this (and other) activities. |
| 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 | The running costs of the present activity are low and we still have some money in the bank. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | No reserves. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | ditto |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | We hope to convince a funder that we merit modest support. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | We are linked to the start and end times of the terms of study set by ESOL course providers. This activity continues to survive fluctuations in numbers. |
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 | We have only just enough volunteers to ensure that a minimum of two will always be in attendance. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | CIO constitution. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | ditto |
| 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 | By invitation of the existing/continuing trustees. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
|
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | SCVO plus personal links with the trustees and staff of other charities active within the town. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Our close neighbour is called Brushstrokes. Their ESOL project co- ordinator is a good friend. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Better Together. |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1183516 |
| Charity’s principal address | Smethwick Baptist Church Regent Street Smethwick B66 3BQ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 p5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pauline Hylton | ||||
| Sandra Monica Robinson |
||||
| John CraigJordan | ||||
| Delroy Otis Thomas |
||||
| Paul Beech | ||||
– 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 | 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
Sandra Monica Robinson was a founding trustee and served as secretary for many years. In June 2024 she notified us of her resignation, to take effect in just a few weeks.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
J.C.Jordan Signature(s) P Hylton John Craig Jordan Full name(s) Pauline Hylton Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Trustee Chair, etc)
Date
May 2025
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