Charity Registration No. 1188312
SILVER STORIES
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1st APRIL 2025
VER ST(IgES 1186312 Ttywr* F112 2&X PL15 7&
SILIIER STORIES HM Queen, Patron Westboume House. Westbovnd Terrace. Salta5h Cornwall. PL12 2BX Registered Charity No 1188312 April 2024- March 2025 5 Year of Operation TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS Charity Summary It IS Worth celebrating that Silver Stories has now completed itsfrfth year as a charity, a year that ha5 seen many positive moves forward with the incredibty meaningful activity that is Silver Stor*s. We should remind ourselves of the foundational mission of Silver Storie5. It wa5 one of the creator's decades of experience (Elisabeth Camey-Haworth OBE) with young children aged 2-11 that enabled her to clearly identrfy that many children dKI not enjoy reading. She describes reading forthese children assooften something thatwas Yaught'atschoolwith eitherthe teacherortheTA engaging in one to one, group orclass activitie5 based upon developing the skillsto be a reader. 'Prartising'these skillswas a daily attivitythat parents were asked to undertake with theirchildren, an artivity fortoo manychildren which was frequently rushed and given little importance within busy households with competing ca115 upon the time of parentslcarers. During her 42 years ofteaching, she, and headteachersand teachers acrossthe countryi had tried many different ways to a55iSt chiklren to experience the joy of readingi allowing childrentoexplore rnany and varied waysto access reading as a beautiful and rewarding activity. Events such as Workl Book Dayi which can be tran5fomiational in Schools, has, for so many, become no more than a headache for parenvcarer asthey ty to create or buy clothes for a hild to dress up in as they go into school.
And then the idea of Silver Stories was created, initialty that kernel of the scheme was conceived by David Carney-Haworth OBE (the joint creator of Sifver Storie5) and then develcped and shaped by both Elisabeth and David Camey-Haworth. with each of them bringing other aspects of their experiencÈ to the dsscvssion: The numbers of oldermembersof our community who are alone and lonely The lack of relationship5 With any generation above that of their parents for many children The lack of relationships with grandparents for many children The lack of theabilityto readto someone in an unjvdgmental way that enablesthe child toenjoy the reading the storyt the magic of sharing reading with another person who is keen to listen to you The importance of reading alcAJd The importance of Conversati and ct)mmunication The importance of thinking of others and Ixinging joy to others Silver Stories is built upon the beauty of intergenerational relati¢)nships. the passion of its creators to enable children to experience reading as a tnjly inspirational activity and the drive to end the often isolated and lonely exper*nce of many of the older generation within wr country and beyond. The feedback received by the charity from all th05e involved: Silver Readers. Silver Readerfs parent5, Silver Storie5 schools, Silver Listeners and Partners such as Social Prescribers all consolidate that this artivityi so simple and so efficienL continues to be lifechanging and enriching for all those involved, induding the Trustees and our part time Coordinator. The creators have described Silver Stories as a %¥arm hug, and this description 15 no le55 appropriate as we move towards our sixth year and receiving the positive comments from participants is neveranything but both moving and rewarding and confirmation that is an apt description of Silver Storie5. The beginning of 2025 has seen a resurgenceofthe dialogue about ourchildren's reading. In January 2025, the current Children's Lavreate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, announced that he was to lead a campaign to tackle a eCeSsion in children'5 happiness., a recession that he believes is caused by a decline in reading at a young age. He believes that whilst our children may look successful a5 readers in terms of our league tables for readingi reading for pleasure is in decline, leadin9 to.S$ chance of Itheml being happy..
The creator5 of Silver Stories argue thatthe league tables for reading have no connection or relevance to children's reading for pleasure ortheir desire to be or continue to be engaged in reading for its own merit as they move through childhood and into adulthood. Atthe Reading Rights Summit (Janvary 2025) there wa5 a callto ensure thatthe'life- changing benefrts of children's reading are taken seriousty." Diana Gerald MBE and 0 of the BookTrust (cTrh05t of the Summit) remarked: here has never been a more urgent time for us to inspire a new generation of children on thelrreadingjoumeys." Silver Stories is a beavtifiJl example of how children can be supported to develop fluencyi comprehension skills and most of all a true love of reading. The feedback from our schools nd parent5 of children who read from home reinforce that Silver Stories makes this difference for our participating childrÈn. AgeUK report the need to Yocus on creating supwtive communities and social network5 to help address loneliness.- This is exactly the space where Silver Stories exists and, as you read this report you will feel that appreciation of the connection and joy that Sifver Readers bring to their Silver Listeners. It is worth noting that for many of our Silver Listenets 2024 was not an easy year and things have not improved in zoi5. As we move t(yxards spring, their Spirits begin to rise as they feel the coldness, the dark of winter are particularly JifFicultfor many of them Chairof TrLtstees Comments: It has been an honourto serve as Chair ofTrvsteesforthe last 5 years andto be part ofthis wonderfvl charity that 5upp¢)rts older and younger people developing meaningful relationships through the joy of reading. There have bÈÈn countless examples of the very powerful impact for all parties involved and the Trustees have had the unbending commitment of the Silver Stories Co-Founders, David and Eli5abeth Carney-Haworth, at the helm. I would liketo offer Mys1nre thanksto all Trustees and sUPPOrters of this wonderfijl charity. Charity UpKlate: We are aware that the number of participants fluttuates over time:
Some Sifver Listeners become too ill to participate, move into Care Homes that feel they cannot facilitate Sier Storie5. or very sadly die. Silver Readers grow up and theirfocus change5, sometime5 feeling that the pressure of exams means that they cannot continue. But all leave the Charty having had the most wonderful experience. Silver Stories Coordinator One of the main artivities that has been undertaken is the appointment of our own Silver Storie5 Coordinator. Badges We continue to send ¢t Some badges to our Sifver Readers. They have been very well received. Duke of Edinburgh Award We also continue to support a number of Silver Readers who are undertsking Sier Stories as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award. Sadly, whilst the vast majority of Silver Stories Schools are thoroughly enjoying participation in the scheme. value the positive impart for individual children and across the whole school communty and are efficient in their organisation of how Silver Stories is put into place, WÈ have a small number of schools who have struggled to continue to find the staff ortimeto remain part of Silverstories. This isa clearreflection of allthatwe hear inthe press about the burdens upon our schools, not least the financial burdens which have negatively impatted upon staffing levels. We support schoolsto remain part of Silver Stories in every way possible. Partners The range of 'partners' who refer Silver Li5tener5 to the charity is growing and there is a particular rise in the numberof Social Prescribers who are recognising the benefitof referring their clientstothe charty- The most important part of Silver Stories is to share the wonderfijl feedback that is receNed from every part of the charity. These quotations (the smallest of selettion from hundreds of comments) reflert the enonnous difference that Silver Storie5 creates. Befriending Coordin:"I think it's an amazing charty and the work that you do is truly inspiring. Some service users prefer not to have someone visit their home and thi5 15 a fèntastic way to help them feel less isolated and lonely. It gives them something to look fopward to whilst a150 benefiting the children involved. Many service users love-audio books and this offers a sirnilar experience but with the added warmth of a real per50n on the other end of the phone. One lady who has Silver Stories shared with me that listening to a Silver Stories child truly brightens her day and makes a big difference in her life and She look5 forward to it..
Mother of Silver Reader said that Silver Listener and Silver Reader have a'beautiful relationship. and that the Sllver Readertakes great pride in talking to her Silver Listener and even ca115 her when she is on holiday. Two long serving Sitver Readers spoke about how proud they are to be part of Silver Stories, how muchjoy they gain from it and how st has helped especially the older male reader to improve his reading Skills. Daughter of Silver Listener (who has dementia) said what a wonderful thing Sifver Stories is in helping relieve loneliness for her mother. Daughter of Silver Listener"Could I say what an amazing concept Sifver Stories is. I wish this had been around when our son wa5 learning to read. He was an incredibly relvctant reader and I know he would have benefitted from thisand secondly it is brilliant forthe elderly and lonely (like my mother). Thank you enomiou5ty for putting her in touch with her Silver Reader., Silver Listener said that his Silver Reader has made Such a difference to his life. He wa5 feeling very low arKI since she ha5 been readTrng to him it ha5 lifted ht5 spirits. We forwarded this onto the Silver Readerfs mother who was very pleased to hear this and passed it on to her daughter. School reported:'Our Silver Readers have built up fantastic bonds with thelr Silver Listeners and they really look forward to their weekly sessions.. School said °The bond the Silver Readers and Sifver Listeners have is amazing and both parties benefit enormously from this SeNice.' The Silver Storie5 Lead in a school sent the following message: -since we joined 3 years ago Silver Stories has brought our school nothing but joy ènd an immense sense of prideto our pupils inthe differencethey are making to someone's life. The opportunity it has provKled our pupils to speak to and read to older members of society ha5 helped to create positive intergenerational relationships that have greatly benefitted everyone involved. Through theirweeklyconversations our wpils (silver Readers) have built up a lovely rapport with their Sifver Listeners. Not only have they improved their reading fluency, but also their confidence and self-esteem. In addition, the children also enjoy their weekly chats before reading in which their Silver Listener has entertained them with anecdotes of what life waslike when theywere children and their shared hobbies. Inturn our children have broughtthem companionship and happine55, sometimes dvring difficult times. A5 one Sifver Listener put it, they are their'little ray of sunshine each e. A lovelysentimentshared by everyone involved., Grandmother of a family ofthree SilverReaderswho all read tothe Same Silver Listener..
'It is so lovely for the children, two with ADHD and all three with dyslexia, to do something aEtruistic and to see how much they enjoy the reading to their Silver Listener. It really 15 remarkable and thankyouforcreating such a beautifvl scheme. 'Once you learn to read you will be forever free, Frederick Douglass Silver Stories continue5 to adhere faithfully to the Objects of the Charity. The Objects of the CIO are: To advance education for the public benefft among children, in particular thr¢)ugh the provision of supervised opportunities to read alcwd to listeners as a means of improving readinglliteracy and communication skills and building self-confidence. Silver Stories will enable children (Silver Readers) whether in sch¢)ols or other establishments, to telephone older people (Sier Ltsteners) who have volunteered to be part of the scheme, in order to read aloud to them. 2) For the wblic benefit to relieve the needs of elderly people, in particular by offering them volunteering opportunitie5 to act as listeners for children who will read aloud to them by telephone with the aims of reducin9 feelings of loneliness and social isolation and maintaining inter-generational contact. Research has shown that this type of actNtty will increase confidence and reading skills in the children, and enablethe older people, who may be isolated and alone, to remain in contact with children thus improving their mental and physical wellbeing j 31 To provide relief from stress and suffering forokler people experiencing loneliness and isolation and to develop reading and commvnication ski115for children,. 4) To liaise with education establishments. older people and their represÈntatNes and other agencies,. 5) Seeking to form partnerships with other charities and organisations which deliver mutual and complimentary benefits,.
6) Providing support and infonnation and where necessary advocacyi guidance and mentoring to older persons and educati¢Jn establishments teaching staff. All trustees have been advised to read the Charitable Business Law Guidance issued by the Charity Commission ICC) taking especial notice of the seven guiding principles. In addition, the CEorrreasurerlChair ProVe5 regular updatesto all Trustees on CC policy and lessons from enquiries etc. Additional Information: The Charty isnot in a positiontomake grants atthistime. en Despite the Charities very purpose being a'social investmenv this investment is not directly fiscal. The Charity does not have a body of volunteer5 Other than the Trustees. rm To date Silver Stories has Silver Readers and Silver Listener% schools and Partner5 from acr055 the country and beyond. Thi5 equates to hundreds of hours of reading and listening each week. Type of governing d(Kument: Constitution Document How is the charity constituted? Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Foundation Strvrture) - whose only voting members are its trustees Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions:
New Trustees May be recruited to the Board at any time by the Tru5tee5. In selecting indlviduals for appointment as Trustees, the Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed forthe effective administration of the charity. Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees: Each new Trustee must receive, on or befo his or her first appointment a copy of the current version of the constitijtion and a copy of the CIO'S latest Trustees. annual report and statement of accounts. The new Trustee will also be briefed individually by the CEO or Chair of Trustees. The charity's organisational Structure and any wider network wtth which the charty works: Reference and Administrative detsils: Charity name Silver Stories Registered chartynumber 188312 estbthjrne House. Westboume Terrace orpoint ornwall PL12 2BX Charitys principal address Name of trusteeswho manage the charty: Trustee name Office (If any) Dates acted rf notfor whole year Nameof person (or body) entftled to appoint trustee Ilfany) NA Dr Emma Corrigan Elisabeth Carney- Haworth OBE David Carney- Haworth OBE Rachel Ewan- Corrigan Dame Esther Rantzen Richard Marsh Duane Seymore Janet Tyler Chair of Trustees Co- fovnder, Pro bono CEO and Clerk NA Co-founder. Safeguarding NA Research NA Trea5vrer NA NA NA 15th April 2025 15 April 2025
Signed on behalf of the charitys trustees.
. D Seymore June 2025
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