Trustees Annual Report 30-06-2022 – 30-06-2023 The objects of the CIO are:
To relieve the needs of Neurodiverse children and young adults in West Yorkshire (without attached funding or diagnosis necessarily) by providing grants to assist with the provision of specialist equipment to aid and enable their access to education and the curriculum. For the purposes of this clause ‘Neurodiverse’ refers to the different ways the brain can work and interpret information. Neurodivergence includes, but is not limited to: Attention Deficit Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia.
The year this annual return covers has once more not been without its challenges, as the cost-of-living crisis has understandably seen a notable drop in donations but thankfully for us, an increase in support. As a charity, the interest and support from West Yorkshire is slowly but steadily growing and given the current financial climate and circumstances we still find ourselves in, we continue to feel privileged that we are garnering support out there, although fully appreciate it takes time to establish. We have been fortunate enough to have taken part in a number of events to share the work we are doing as a charity and also to spread the word about what we do and what we can provide.
In this time frame, we have held 3 applicant windows and have had 19 applications through for various specialist pieces of equipment including a tablet for speech and language communication, laptops, speech to text software, weighted items, dbuds, Maths resources, angled boards, theraputty and an E reader pen. All 19 applications met our criteria and could
Equipped4Learning, Registered Charity in England and Wales (1184110)
provide evidence from an AHP/SpLD teacher/psychologist as to why they were needed to access their education and in all cases the applicants request for 3 items of equipment were all met, which we feel is quite a significant achievement. We have added value by now asking for feedback from applicants as to how they have found the process and any changes they would make, in order for us to continue to offer the ease of service we want and to grow and learn from any negative feedback received. To date all feedback has been very positive. One application was rejected as they didn’t meet our criteria, and school were not on board to use the equipment, this was explained fully to them. We also have two applications on a waiting list for our next application window later in the year, because funds didn’t permit them to be processed and for the first time ever our March application window was closed early due to this situation.
Fundraising, as mentioned, has again been challenging but this year we had a well-planned out fundraising timetable that ensured we had an event on most months in order to replenish our funds. We have not been defeatist and have continued to think outside the box. Our fundraising has been through donations, attending a Halifax store to carry out tombola’s, guess the name of the elephant, stalls at local shows, scratch card events, virtual balloon race, lots of events around the kings coronation and an in-person quiz and bingo night, which raised £686.91. We were also incredibly humbled to have got the top spot for Tesco blue tokens in our local stores and were awarded a grant of £1500. We also still have some kind local businesses that have our charity boxes housed with them. All our monies go fully on our applicants, so any help is greatly appreciated.
Looking to the next year we have again pre planned in the years fundraisers for the coming financial year, ensuring funds are generated before each application window. All trustees agree that we absolutely must prioritise events that
Equipped4Learning, Registered Charity in England and Wales (1184110)
enable us to spread the word about our charity further across West Yorkshire and get out and about to encourage engagement and use.
Having had our AGM, we have agreed to continue with 3 applicant windows a year, through the months of March, June, and October, to afford us time to fundraise in between. We have also agreed to continue for now, prioritisation of up to 3 items per applicant but only one electrical item. However, it is made very clear in the criteria and application form that these items are not guaranteed and it will depend on funds available, and we are always very honest with what we can and cannot commit to, in these ever-challenging times.
Our commitment to this charity and the heart of what we are achieving never waivers, and we are more determined than ever to ride the waves and continue to get the funds needed for each application window to ensure the needs of the children and young people are met.
Nicky Bament Charity founder and trustee. 17/04/2024
Equipped4Learning, Registered Charity in England and Wales (1184110)
Finance Report Equipped4learning: June 2022-June 2023
This is the brief finance report for the above period of June to June.
Accounts Ingoing £4,368.58 Outgoing £4,340.07 Remaining Balance £28.51
In light of the ongoing cost of living crisis, we need to continually think outside the box in terms of appropriate fundraising, to enable us to continue to offer application windows, opening throughout the month, without shutting early and to replenish funds in between. This I realise will be a continual challenge for us.
Nicky Bament Charity Founder and Trustee. 17/04/2024
Equipped4Learning, Registered Charity in England and Wales (1184110)