2026-03-31-accounts

TOGETHER IN ACTION TRUST

CHRAITY REGESTRATION NUMBER 1186531

ANNUAL REPORT

APRIL 2025 / MARCH 2026

1: OVERVIEW

The year 2025–2026 has taken place against a backdrop of continued social, economic, and political challenge across the United Kingdom. Pressures arising from the cost-of-living crisis, ongoing debates around migration and identity, and the local impact of international conflicts have shaped the operating environment for communities and the voluntary sector alike. These dynamics have been particularly evident across England’s diverse urban areas, including the West Midlands and the city of Coventry, where Together in Action Trust (TiA) is based.

Within this context, national policy priorities—such as those linked to levelling up, community cohesion, and social integration—have continued to emphasise the importance of strengthening local relationships, reducing inequalities, and fostering inclusive communities. However, the practical delivery of these ambitions remains complex. Across England, there have been periods of heightened tension, including protests, civil unrest, and instances of far-right activity, alongside strains between and within faith communities. These challenges underline the ongoing need for locally rooted, trusted organisations that can support dialogue, resilience, and mutual understanding.

The closure of the Inter Faith Network for the UK has further highlighted a gap in national coordination and leadership within the interfaith and cohesion space. As a result, the role of local organisations and partnerships has become increasingly important in sustaining this work on the ground.

In the West Midlands—one of the UK’s most diverse regions—these issues are both immediate and deeply felt. Coventry, as a city with a strong history of peace and reconciliation, continues to provide an important setting for initiatives that promote cohesion and shared identity. In this environment, the work of TiA Trust aligns closely with local authority priorities, including those relating to community cohesion, equality, and social value, as well as with broader statutory duties such as the Public Sector Equality Duty.

In response to these challenges and priorities, TiA Trust has remained committed to delivering activities that contribute to stronger, more connected communities. Through the dedication of its volunteers and activists, and in partnership with a range of local and national organisations, the Trust has delivered programmes that promote dialogue, learning, wellbeing, and civic participation. These initiatives have engaged individuals from a wide range of faiths, ages, genders, and backgrounds, supporting increased understanding and positive interaction.

The Trust continues to operate in line with the expectations of the Charity Commission, ensuring that its work delivers clear public benefit, is responsive to identified community need, and demonstrates accountability and good governance. Its activities also contribute to wider outcomes valued by funders and public bodies, including improved community cohesion, enhanced social capital, and increased opportunities for participation among underrepresented groups.

In a year where national and global challenges have placed strain on communities, TiA Trust’s work has provided important spaces for connection, dialogue, and shared purpose across Coventry, the West Midlands, and beyond.

2: ACTIVITIES – EXAMPLES OF AREAS OF WORK

During 2025–2026, Together in Action Trust (TiA) continued to deliver a range of programmes aligned with its core aims of promoting interfaith understanding, community cohesion, and civic participation across Coventry, the West Midlands, and nationally. The following highlights illustrate key areas of activity undertaken during the year.

Interfaith Week and National Engagement

TiA Trust successfully completed its second consecutive year supporting Interfaith Week activity across Coventry and the West Midlands. This included coordinating local events, supporting community-led initiatives, and contributing to wider regional engagement. Activities brought together people from different faith and belief backgrounds through dialogue sessions, visits, and shared learning opportunities.

In addition, TiA Trust supported a UK-wide interfaith meeting, contributing to national discussions on the future of interfaith work in the absence of a central coordinating body. This reflected the Trust’s growing role in both local delivery and national-level engagement.

Youth Engagement – Interfaith Music Event

As part of its commitment to engaging young people, TiA Trust supported 50 students from six secondary schools across Coventry to attend an interfaith music event at Birmingham Symphony Hall in December 2025.

The event provided a unique opportunity for young people to experience how music can bring together different cultures and faith traditions, promoting understanding and shared identity. For many students, this was their first experience of attending a major cultural venue and participating in an interfaith-focused event.

Feedback from participants highlighted the impact of the experience:

“It was inspiring to see how music from different religions and cultures can come together. It made me realise how much we all have in common.” – Student participant

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“The event opened up important conversations among our students about respect, identity, and belonging. It was a valuable extension of learning beyond the classroom.” – Teacher, Coventry secondary school

“For some of our pupils, this was their first visit to a venue like this. It built confidence and – School curiosity and encouraged them to think more positively about other communities.” staff member

This initiative contributed to young people’s cultural awareness, confidence, and understanding of diversity, aligning with local and national priorities around social cohesion and education.

Coventry Interfaith Pioneers

A significant legacy project during the year has been the development of the Coventry Interfaith Pioneers film series. This collection of six films documents and celebrates individuals who have shaped interfaith relations in Coventry since the 1960s.

These films capture the courage, vision, and commitment of those who worked to build trust and cooperation across faith communities, laying the foundations for today’s work. They also situate Coventry within the wider UK interfaith movement, highlighting similar initiatives nationally.

Coventry’s long-standing identity as a city of Peace and Reconciliation provides an important backdrop to this work. Its diverse population—encompassing Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and other communities—continues to create both the need and opportunity for meaningful interfaith engagement.

The films are now being used as educational resources across schools, colleges, places of worship, and community settings, including madrassas and Sunday schools. They also provide valuable material for researchers and academics studying interfaith relations and community cohesion.

Windrush and Community Advocacy

Building on previous work, TiA Trust continued its engagement with issues affecting underrepresented communities, including those linked to the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Following an initial pilot, TiA facilitated targeted engagement with Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani community leaders in Coventry to address low awareness and uptake of the Scheme. This work included awareness-raising sessions, training, and dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

The project highlighted concerns that some South Asian experiences had been overlooked and sought to strengthen pathways for support and advocacy. A report outlining findings, recommendations, and engagement strategies was submitted, contributing to wider discussions on equitable access to justice and support mechanisms.

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Digital Engagement and Knowledge Sharing

During the year, TiA Trust continued to develop its digital presence through its website and partnership platforms, enabling wider dissemination of resources, including the Interfaith Pioneers films and learning materials.

Online engagement has supported broader participation, particularly for those unable to attend in-person activities and has strengthened connections beyond the West Midlands.

Ongoing Challenges and Organisational Learning

As a small charity operating in a challenging funding environment, TiA Trust has continued to experience resource constraints. The wider economic climate has increased competition for funding while demand for services has grown.

Despite these challenges, the Trust has remained committed to delivering high-quality, impactful work. The experiences of the past year—particularly in project delivery and partnership working—have strengthened organisational learning, governance, and resilience.

Overall, TiA Trust’s activities during 2025–2026 have contributed to strengthening community cohesion, supporting interfaith dialogue, and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement across diverse communities in Coventry, the West Midlands, and nationally.

3: PARTNERSHIPS:

During 2025–2026, Together in Action Trust (TiA) further expanded its work across local, regional, national, and international levels, strengthening partnerships with interfaith groups, community organisations, and agencies working to address violence, hate, and intolerance.

In partnership with United Religions Initiative UK, TiA hosted an international delegation focused on interfaith engagement and cooperation. The programme included visits to places of worship, participation in religious observances, and a series of thematic discussions exploring peacebuilding, social cohesion, and responses to religion-motivated violence. These activities created space for shared learning, relationship-building, and the exchange of practical approaches across different contexts.

A key milestone during the year was the Preventing Violence Against Women and Young People Conference , held in November 2025 in Coventry. This event marked a significant step in broadening TiA Trust’s engagement beyond interfaith networks, bringing together a wider range of organisations actively working to prevent violence and support vulnerable communities. The conference provided a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of effective practices to challenge hate, discrimination, and harmful behaviours.

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Through these initiatives, TiA strengthened its contribution to efforts aimed at protecting those most at risk—particularly women, young people, and individuals who may be targeted because of their identity, difference, or circumstances.

Together, this programme of work reflects TiA Trust’s ongoing commitment to partnership working, advancing interfaith understanding, and supporting coordinated action to build safer, more inclusive and resilient communities.

4: HUMAN RESOURCES

• a) Mr Deepak Naik (MBE, FRSA, PDip) is the Executive Director. Costs relating to TiA base, administration, travel and communication are recompensed. To ensure financial security of TiA Trust, Deepak Naik salary was reduced to less than half.

• b) Core services from organisations such as Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, annually, over six people from different backgrounds, abilities and professions volunteer to help with the delivery of projects and the operation of TiA.

• c) TiA secures support from known, respected organisations such as Faith in Society and other experienced professionals who help develop and or deliver projects; they often give time and energy but are paid for core work at discounted fee rates.

5: RISK MANAGEMENT: TiA's key risks are:

• a) Lack of capacity to raise funds resulted in reduced number of applications for funding for projects. Naturally, our effort during the first 3 months of 2025 - 2026 is reserved for the purpose converting ideas for projects into applications for funding.

6: STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT:

• a) The Board has four members and has held two meetings via telephone and online. To make progress, Board Members have actively contributed considerable time, skills, and experience to help deliver projects, raise funds, and provide administrative support.

7: FINANCE

• a) Consultancy fees remained an excellent source of TiA's income during the year. Statutory bodies and agencies value the experience, skills and knowledge of the TiA,

• b) 3 Funding applications were submitted, two were declined, and no application where approved. However, 3 applications for projects/funding are likely to result in approval. Our work as gained interest from a donor, this may provide financial stability into the future.

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8: INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS 2025 - 2026

Expenditure
Num	Area	Amount
1	Actvitycosts	986.00
2	TiA Trust Ofce	2,000.00
3	Consultancy	687.00
4	Administraton & Equipment	665.00
5	Salary	6,000.00
6	Tax & natonal Insurance	1,500.00
	Total Funds expended in	11,838.00
Income
Num	Source	Amount
1	Grants	2,000.00
	Total Funds Generated	2,000.00
Numb		Amount
1	Carryforward	15,640.00
2	Income Generated	2,000.00
3	Total	17,640.00
	Expenditure	11,838.00
	CarryForward 2026 - 2027	5,802.00

Note:

In-kind Support

a) Volunteers (directly and via supporting organizations) contributed over 11,500 hours b) Voluntary services from professionals provided over 900 hours of service

c) The value of volunteer services is £15,000

Notes:

A: TiA Trusts Trustees made no claims and were not renumerated.

B: Reserves of the Trusts ensured delivery of activities, obligations at hand and its planned functions.

9: TiA TRUST BACKGROUND:

A group conceived TiA of friends/young adults from different countries of Europe coming together in Coventry in 2016. Collectively throughout the evening, while sharing food, the Group sensed the need for people, families, and communities to be welcoming towards others in need of shelter, peace and opportunity.

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The Group committed to working together, combining their resources of time, skills, experience, and knowledge, and applying these to establish an organisation. This would proactively work across diverse communities and areas of interest. Together create the means and methods that instil and assure fairness, promote a sense of belonging and citizenship, and enthuse a life of hope for all.

TiA Trust Charitable Purpose

Charitable Category Human rights/ Religious & racial harmony/ Equality & diversity

• (a) The elimination of discrimination on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

• (b) Advancing education and raising awareness of equality and diversity, including in different religious beliefs

• (c) Promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds, including promoting knowledge and mutual understanding and respect of different religious faiths and other racial groups.

• (d) Cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality and diversity

10: CONTACT DETAILS

Deepak Naik MBE FRSA P.dip Executive Director 5 West Avenue

Coventry, CV2 4DG

Email: [e-mail] Website: htps://tacommunity.com

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