Trustees Annual Report 30-06-2024 – 30-06-2025 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 yet again been challenging, due in the main to the continued cost of living crisis. We continue to witness a drop in donations but thankfully for us, a slight increase in support, with the knockon effect being more applications than previous years, as we become more established. As a charity, the interest and support from West Yorkshire is very slowly gaining momentum and given the current financial climate we still find ourselves in, we continue to feel privileged that we are able to carry on the work we are doing. We seek all avenues and opportunities presented to us, to enable us to spread the word about what we do and what we can provide and have actively sought to be more present at networking and events where not only can we raise some funds but also awareness around what we do and who we support.
In this time frame, we have held 3 applicant windows and have had 49 applications, which is an increase of 5% from the previous report. This is significant, bearing in mind that within
Equipped4Learning, Registered Charity in England and Wales (1184110)
this time period, due to a lack of funds, March and June’s window was shut early when our funds did indeed run out. Equipment has yet again varied and is totally bespoke to the applicant, from laptops, sensory equipment, specialist pens, Dyslexia software and resources, Dyscalculia resources, sensory seating and fine motor resources (to name but a few). All applications bar two met our criteria and could provide evidence from an AHP/SpLD teacher/psychologist as to why the equipment was needed to access their education. However, due to the fact we had to close two application windows early, at our annual AGM we voted to change our application to 2 pieces of equipment and not 3 in the hope our finances would stretch yet further.
We have added value by 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.
Fundraising, as mentioned, has been challenging but once again this year we had planned out a fundraising timetable that ensured we had some events on during the year in order to replenish our funds, although unfortunately due to a lack of support one event despite being re organised failed to lift off the ground and was cancelled twice, this had a knock on effect with our June window. Once again, we tried to have a variety of fundraises both in person and online, to widen the net of those that can participate, with postal prizes ensuring those outside of West Yorkshire could become involved.
Looking to the next year we have once again tried to pre plan in the years fundraisers for the coming financial year, ensuring funds are generated before each application window, by a larger in person event. All trustees and charity ambassador agree that we absolutely must prioritise events
Equipped4Learning, Registered Charity in England and Wales (1184110)
that enable us to spread the word about our charity further across West Yorkshire and get out and about to encourage engagement and use. We have also completed several bids/grants which are in process, in order to try and secure bigger blocks of funds.
Our commitment to this charity and the heart of what we set out to achieve annually, never waivers, come what challenges we face. We are more determined than ever to continue to get the funds needed for each application window to ensure the needs of the children and young people are met, who apply. We are also fully committed to spreading the word and gaining support from both individuals and local businesses across all of West Yorkshire, to ensure the ever-steady increase of applications we are receiving, has all the backing necessary. We know the future is challenging, as it is for all small charities, but as we now use as a motto, we are small but mighty.
Nicky Bament Charity founder and trustee. 21/04/2026
Equipped4Learning, Registered Charity in England and Wales (1184110)
Finance Report Equipped4learning: June 2024-June 2025
This is the brief finance report for the above period of June to June.
Accounts Ingoing £6,364.55 Outgoing £6,103.88 Remaining Balance £260.67
In light of the continued cost of living crisis, we need to carry on being flexible in terms of thinking outside the box with our fundraising, to enable us to continue to offer application windows opening throughout the full month without shutting early, and to replenish funds in between. We will carry on with a mix of online and in person fundraising (we have increased our in-person events) as this leads to a wider audience. Also grant bids continue to be completed as another revenue source. Finances, we realise, will be a continual challenge for us over the coming months.
Nicky Bament Charity Founder and Trustee. 21/04/2026
Equipped4Learning, Registered Charity in England and Wales (1184110)