REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: CE020938 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1188293
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
FOR
Write Back
MHR Consultancy Limited Ferneberga House Alexandra Road Farnborough Hampshire GU14 6DQ
Write Back
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 | ||
| Statement of Financial Position | 5 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 | to | 8 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 9 |
Write Back
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Write Back's vision is for every young person to understand that they have a story to tell and have the capacity to tell it. We work to achieve this by building the confidence and capacity of young people to express themselves creatively through the sharing of their stories. We do this by running collaborative storytelling programmes for marginalised young people which develop their creativity, self-esteem and confidence. The work of every young person on our programmes is published and celebrated.
About Write Back
Write Back started in a History classroom in 2015, where History teacher Sam Norwood explored ways to empower young people beyond the constraints of the curriculum. He began by working with Year 9 students to publish their stories of immigration. Those students went on to create another book, three exhibitions across East London and pilot workshops for younger students. As those original students headed to university, in September 2019 we began running sessions for young people across the borough of Barking and Dagenham. In early 2020, we registered with the Charity Commission, formalising our status as an independent charity and recruited a board of trustees.
We run 10-week storytelling programmes open to 13 to 16-year-olds identified by their teachers as lacking confidence, self-esteem or a creative outlet. These young people are referred to us by schools in Barking and Dagenham, and are then enrolled in our programmes at the Future Youth Zone, a local youth centre. The programmes are built off three key ideas: that every young person has a story to tell and the capacity to tell it; that a deep connection with the stories of others is often the most powerful way to learn; that young people should tell their stories in the way that they want them to be told. In each session we run confidence-building activities, engage with the writing of young authors and develop the stories of the participating young people. The 10-week project also involves working with writers and artists, and culminates with the celebration of the young people's work in front of their friends, families and teachers at a 'graduation style' book launch event. Through this work we aim to build self-respect, community and independent voices for young people through the sharing of their stories.
The trustees confirm they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Key activities and achievements: September 2023 - August 2024
This academic year Write Back ran well over 100 hours of storytelling workshops for over 80 young people across 5 programmes - our biggest year of delivery yet!
Supplementing our work in Future Youth Zone we have developed entirely new programmes, including a youth voice programme for the borough and an in-school pilot.
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Despite growing rapidly, evaluation showed positive outcomes consistent with last year. Eight in ten participants' self-esteem improved over the course of our programme, on average by 16%. * Our impact was even greater on those who joined with low self-esteem. Nine in ten of those young people saw improvements, on average by 45%.*
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Eight anthologies of young writers produced, with over 120,000 words published by young writers.
*Measured by the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, which participants took at the start and end of our programmes.
Public benefit
Our work is focused in Barking and Dagenham because this is where our project was created and where demand remains so great. The borough is the 9th most deprived local authority in the country and well over a third of its young people and children live in poverty. Despite this, Barking and Dagenham has the joint fewest charities per head in the country. Research conducted by the local authority revealed that only 37% of young residents felt they had someone to talk to about problems that worry them. The same research found that almost a third of young people felt optimistic 'rarely' or 'none of the time'.
Our programmes have shown the transformative impact storytelling can have. They provide young people with the opportunity to discuss the issues important to them - areas which are increasingly difficult to cover in the curriculum given the growing exam pressures of secondary schools. Quantitative evaluations of our programmes as well as feedback from schools, families and the young people themselves have shown marked improvements for participant self-esteem and perceptions of themselves and their capabilities.
We believe that storytelling can play a crucial role in addressing this situation by building young people's respect for themselves and by developing trust and community amongst young people.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number
CE020938 (England and Wales)
Page 1
Write Back
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Registered Charity number 1188293
Registered office
Trustees
D Hindocha A Newton Mrs K Elliott S K Gill (appointed 22.11.24)
Company Secretary
Independent Examiner
Mark Byron Blackwell (ACMA) MHR Consultancy Limited Ferneberga House Alexandra Road Farnborough Hampshire GU14 6DQ
27/06/2026
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
...................................................................................... A Newton - Trustee
Page 2
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WRITE BACK
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Write Back ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mark Byron Blackwell (ACMA) The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
MHR Consultancy Limited Ferneberga House Alexandra Road Farnborough Hampshire GU14 6DQ
Date: ............................................. 26/07/2026
Page 3
Write Back
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| 31.8.25 | 31.8.24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | ||
| fund | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |||
| Donations and legacies | 27,039 | 15,000 | |
| Charitable activities | |||
| Charitable Activities | 8,200 | 1,350 | |
| Total | 35,239 | 16,350 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |||
| Charitable activities | |||
| Charitable Activities | 37,022 | 9,633 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (1,783) | 6,717 | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 16,992 | 10,275 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 15,209 | 16,992 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 4
Write Back
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 August 2025
| 31.8.25 | 31.8.24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | ||
| fund | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Cash at bank | 15,209 | 16,992 | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 15,209 | 16,992 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 15,209 | 16,992 | |
| NET ASSETS | 15,209 | 16,992 | |
| FUNDS | 4 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 15,209 | 16,992 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 15,209 | 16,992 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
27/06/2026
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. behalf by:
and were signed on its
----- Start of picture text -----
.............................................
----- End of picture text -----
............................................. A Newton - Trustee
............................................. D Hindocha - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Write Back
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
3.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted | |
| fund | |
| £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |
| Donations and legacies | 15,000 |
| Charitable activities | |
| Charitable Activities | 1,350 |
| Total | 16,350 |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |
| Charitable activities | |
| Charitable Activities | 9,633 |
| NET INCOME | 6,717 |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |
| Total funds brought forward | 10,275 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 16,992 |
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continued...
Write Back
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
4. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Net | |||
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.9.24 | in funds | 31.8.25 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 16,992 | (1,783) | 15,209 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 16,992 | (1,783) | 15,209 |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | |||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 35,239 | (37,022) | (1,783) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 35,239 | (37,022) | (1,783) |
| Comparatives for movement in funds | |||
| Net | |||
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.9.23 | in funds | 31.8.24 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 10,275 | 6,717 | 16,992 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 10,275 | 6,717 | 16,992 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | |||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 16,350 | (9,633) | 6,717 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 16,350 | (9,633) | 6,717 |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: | |||
| Net | |||
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.9.23 | in funds | 31.8.25 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 10,275 | 4,934 | 15,209 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 10,275 | 4,934 | 15,209 |
continued...
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Write Back
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
4. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 51,589 | (46,655) | 4,934 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 51,589 | (46,655) | 4,934 |
5. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025.
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Write Back
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 31.8.25 | 31.8.24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Gifts | (1) | - |
| Donations | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| Grants | 22,040 | - |
| 27,039 | 15,000 | |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Activities | 8,200 | 1,350 |
| Total incoming resources | 35,239 | 16,350 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Wages | 19,201 | - |
| Subscriptions | 383 | 557 |
| Telephone | 238 | 151 |
| End of Programme Events | 2,598 | 1,747 |
| Student publications | 4,262 | 3,829 |
| Session resources | 1,527 | 1,233 |
| Professional Fees | 534 | - |
| Freelancer | 6,643 | - |
| 35,386 | 7,517 | |
| Support costs | ||
| Management | ||
| Insurance | 145 | 140 |
| Website & Computer | 365 | 192 |
| Postage and stationery | 475 | 543 |
| Advertising | 568 | 1,168 |
| Sundries | 83 | 73 |
| 1,636 | 2,116 | |
| Total resources expended | 37,022 | 9,633 |
| Net (expenditure)/income | (1,783) | 6,717 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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