2025-03-31-accounts - The Raise Up Foundation

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[Date]

Receipts and Payments 31.03.2025.xls

[Document subtitle]

Assan Shaukat

[COMPANY NAME]

The Raise Up Foundation Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts

For the period: 01st April 2024 - 31st March 2025 Registered charity number 1188653 (England and Wales)

Reference and Administrative Details

Reference and Administrative Details
Registered charity name:	The Raise UpFounda�on
Charity registra�on number:	1188653
Principal address:	Raise Up Community Centre, All Saints Close, Luton, Bedfordshire,LU3 1FA
Website:	www.raiseupluton.co.uk

Structure, Governance & Management

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Trustees (as of 31 March 2025) Mrs Rehana Faisal, Mr Saif Ali, Miss Hadiqa Asif, Mr
Amaan Baig, Mr Sarmad Sajid Khan, Mr Shazam
Mahmood, Mr Aamir Malik.
Structure: Charitable Incorporated Organisa�on (CIO)
Governing document: Cons�tu�on
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Trustee appointments are made by the existing board, which selects individuals who can contribute appropriate expertise, insight, and experience. Once appointed, every trustee is expected to familiarise themselves with the organisation’s full set of policies, ensuring they are aware of all legal duties, regulatory requirements, and recommended standards of practice.

Objectives and Activities

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Charitable objects To act as a resource for young people up to the age of 25 living in
Luton by providing advice and assistance and organising
programmes of physical, educa�onal and other ac�vi�es as a means
of:
(a) advancing in life and helping young people develop skills,
capaci�es and capabili�es enabling them to par�cipate in society as
independent, mature and responsible individuals;
(b) advancing educa�on;
(c) relieving unemployment;
(d) providing recrea�onal and leisure-�me ac�vi�es in the interests
of social welfare to improve quality of life for those experiencing
disadvantage.
What we do Educa�on & training
Advice, advocacy and guidance
Posi�ve ac�vi�es for development
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Targeted interven�ons for young people needing addi�onal support

All activities are designed to advance education, relieve hardship, improve wellbeing and empower young people to participate positively in society. Services are free or heavily subsidised to ensure accessibility. Trustees confirm they have complied with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Achievements and Performance (2024–2025)

Weekly Youth Club – A Safe, Enriching Environment for Young People

The charity delivered twice-weekly evening youth sessions, providing a consistent, safe and structured space where young people could enjoy positive recreation, learn new skills, and build meaningful relationships.

Key features included:

Hot, nutritious meals at every session
Games, physical activity and creative workshops
Mentoring from trained youth workers and positive peer role models
Informal learning on communication, teamwork and conflict resolution

Given the socio-economic context of many of the families we serve, the meal provision became an essential support. Parents repeatedly expressed how much this eased household pressures, especially during the cost-of-living crisis.

Young people reported:

Feeling safer and more confident
Improved emotional wellbeing
Better peer relationships
Reduced isolation
Increased motivation in school

Holiday Clubs – Fun, Structure and Skill-Building During School Breaks

During school holidays the charity ran multiple structured programmes during the school holiday periods, combining fun activities with educational enrichment. These included:

Team-building exercises
Sports and physical activity
Creative arts
Communication and presentation skills
Leadership tasks
Problem-solving challenges

School Enrichment Programme – Preventing Exclusion & Supporting Behavioural Needs

In partnership with a local secondary school, Raise Up supported young people with persistent behavioural difficulties, additional needs, or those at risk of exclusion.

The programme provided:

A nurturing, calming environment
Access to specialist mental health workers
Mentoring from positive male role models
Reflective and developmental sessions
Fun, therapeutic activities that reduce stress and improve emotional regulation

“Safe Space” Community Responses to Local Tensions

Following serious community incidents, including incidents to serious youth violence, Raise Up facilitated safe spaces for:

Young people to discuss their fears and questions
Parents to access reassurance and advice
Organisations to come together to address misinformation

These sessions reduced anxiety, promoted community cohesion, and helped young people regain a sense of safety and belonging.

Warm Space / Co-Working & Study Space – Reducing Isolation and Supporting Education

Throughout the year, Raise Up Foundation operated a Warm Space and Co-Working/Study Space, open to young people and local families needing:

A safe, heated environment during the cost-of-living crisis
A quiet study area with reliable Wi-Fi
A supportive atmosphere for homework, revision and coursework
Space to work on laptops or access resources they may not have at home
Light refreshments and informal guidance from staff and volunteers

This initiative proved invaluable for:

Young people preparing for exams
Students with crowded or unsuitable home environments
Those without stable internet access
Young adults needing a calm, structured place to focus

Many young people reported that having a warm, quiet, supervised environment helped improve their academic confidence, productivity and emotional wellbeing.

The Warm Space also became a hub for community connection, reducing isolation by providing an open and friendly environment.

Community Iftar Café – Dignified Support for Families

A culturally sensitive offer for the local community, our “pay what you can” Iftar Café ran throughout Ramadan, providing:

Warm, welcoming meals
A non-stigmatising way for families to access support
Volunteers opportunities for young people
A gateway into other support services and local charities

Chat4Change – Youth Voice, Debate and Social Responsibility

Chat4Change empowers young people to explore issues affecting them locally and globally – from inequality to global conflicts - to nurture informed, articulate and socially responsible young citizens.

Participants developed:

Critical thinking
Public speaking
Debate etiquette
Leadership
Advocacy skills

Expert Workshops – Education, Digital Safety & Future Pathways

The charity delivered a wide range of expert-led workshops and information, advice and guidance session, including:

Health & wellbeing
Study skills and exam success
Safe and responsible use of social media
Personal statement writing
Apprenticeship and UCAS application support
Navigating university life / gap years
Results day emotional support

These sessions gave young people practical tools for academic and personal success. Many participants credited the workshops with reducing exam stress and improving the quality of their post-16/18 applications.

Volunteering & Social Action – Nurturing Civic Responsibility

We supported young people to give back through meaningful volunteering opportunities with:

Luton Foodbank (supermarket food drives)
Inspire FM (Big Iftar)
ABCD in Luton (community clean-ups)

Through social action, young people gained:

Pride in giving back
Experience of responsibility and teamwork
A sense of ownership over their community

Islamophobia Conference – Youth-Led Advocacy & Education

Young people designed and led an Islamophobia conference addressing discrimination, identity, mental health, and community cohesion. The event fostered dialogue between youth, educators, scholars, charities and civic leaders.

It demonstrated the charity’s commitment to equipping young people to challenge injustice confidently and constructively.

Ansar Ventures – Flagship Leadership, Mental Health & Civic Engagement Programme

Ansar Ventures supported 12 young men aged 14–24 across a year-long, high-intensity programme involving:

	 Weekly leadership coaching  CEO masterclasses  Workplace visits  Public speaking	 Social ac�on projects  Mental health educa�on  Mentoring  A residen�al cultural trip

Highlights included:

Tackling drug misuse	Youth-led research with Public Health Social media campaign reaching over 10,000 views 500+ survey responses Luton’s frst youth-led conference on drug misuse
Mental health leadership	Level 2 Mental Health First Aid training Podcast series totaling 15,000+ listens Talks delivered in schools and community events
Green space & community wellbeing	Designed and built a Foodbank allotment Consulted 200+ residents Contributed to Luton Council planning discussions
Work experience & cultural development	Investments, property, opera�ons and philanthropy placements Visit to Google HQ Cultural/historical learningtripto Bosnia

Measured outcomes

100% increased confidence
95% improved communication
92% increased ability to engage with authority
90% increased sense of belonging

Ansar Ventures continues to be one of the most impactful youth leadership pathways in Luton.

Plans for the Coming Year

Looking ahead, the Raise Up Foundation intends to respond directly to the emerging needs and feedback of the young people and families we serve.

Key priorities for 2025–2026

1. Developing targeted Young people have expressed a strong employability and careers desire for more support around their programmes future pathways. In response, we will be developing programmes that offer:

We recognise that high-quality careers support can transform long-term  Tailored employability skills outcomes for young people. Our goal is  CV and job-applica�on support to build structured, year-round support  Networking, rela�onship building that improves confidence, supports and presenta�onGreater contact aspira�ons and opens meaningful with employers (from a range of career pathways. sectors) in the town and beyond  Expand access to workplace visits and shadowing opportuni�es Strengthen links to appren�ceships, internships and early career opportuni�es

2. Strengthening partnerships We aim to deepen our engagement with with schools local schools by:

Our school partnerships are essen�al in ensuring that vulnerable children  Greater engagement with receive early, preventa�ve interven�on. schools om shaping our support programmes

Expanding behavioural, wellbeing and mentoring interven�ons

Providing professional development for school staff on youth voice, inclusion and coproduc�on

3. Developing stronger To support the above aims, we will: rela�onships with local businesses and organisa�ons  Build a network of employer partners invested in youth

These rela�onships will open up real, development tangible opportuni�es for young people  Co-design opportuni�es with — par�cularly those with limited access industry professionals to professional networks.  Encourage corporate volunteering and mentoring

Facilitate real-world project briefs so young people can solve “live” workplace challenges

	 Increase social ac�on and volunteering opportuni�es in partnership with local employers
4. Grow ‘youth voice’ work Feedback from the_chat4change_ sessions made it clear that young people want greater opportuni�es to develop their voice, explaining that this support helps them navigate the world more confdently and efec�vely.	We intend to introduce programmes which broaden youth leadership, debate, and civic engagement. These ini�a�ves will equip young people with the skills, knowledge and confdence to express their views, advocate for their needs, and take an ac�ve role in shaping their communi�es.
5. Scaling the Ansar Ventures model	We hope to ofer more places and expand into new cohorts, ensuring more young people can beneft from the same transforma�ve leadership development.
6. Building sustainability for core services	This includes:  Securing mul�-year funding for youth work  Increasing volunteer capacity  Strengthening opera�onal infrastructure  Greater collabora�on with other local organisa�ons and support services  Maintaining provision of warm spaces and studysupport

Financial Review

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Income
Unrestricted: £46,574
Restricted £34,834
TOTAL INCOME £81,408
Expenditure:
Unrestricted £56,814
Restricted £4,859
TOTAL EXPENDITURE £61,673
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The charity remained financially stable, supported by grants, individual donors, community fundraising and in-kind contributions.

Reserves Policy

Reserves at year end:

£83,725

An amount of reserves are kept in order to safeguard the charity from unexpected financial implications, including to:

Ensure any urgent unexpected expenses can be met
Prevent the interruption of existing operations due to a delay in receiving expected funds
Ensure the charity can meet essential ongoing administrative costs for a period of 6 months if no other funding is received
Facilitate options for urgent projects in response to beneficiary needs and circumstances

Our current reserves limit is £X. This means any amount of unrestricted funds (ie. funds that are not designated to projects or other existing costs) up to and including £X may be reserved by the charity, for the reasons set out above.

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustee’s report above on 26/01/2026. Signed on behalf of the trustees:

Rehana Faisal (Chair of Trustees)

Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 118653 The Raise Up Foundation	Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 118653 The Raise Up Foundation	Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 118653 The Raise Up Foundation	Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 118653 The Raise Up Foundation	Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 118653 The Raise Up Foundation	CC16a
	Receipts and payments accounts
	For the period from	01/04/2024	To	31/03/2025

Section AReceipts and payments
A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £	4,859 34,834 Restricted funds to the nearest £ 34,834 - - - - - - - 34,834 - - - - 4,264 - - - - - - 235 360 - - - - 4,859 29,975 - 16 29,990 - - -	Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total funds to the nearest £	- - Last year to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Donations	46,574 - - - - - - - 46,574			81,408
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)				81,408

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).	- - -
				-
				-
*Sub total*				-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments	46,574
				81,408

IT COSTS	248 7,222 16,952 3,573 3,150 1,844 9,685 70 201 - 400 12,849 621 - 56,814			248
CASUAL WAGES				11,486
WAGES - PAYROLLED				16,952
UTILITIES				4,194
HMRC - PAYE				3,150
CLEANING				1,844
EVENT COSTS				9,685
DONATIONS				70
STATIONERY				436
TRAINING				360
LEGAL & COMPLIANCE				400
RENT				12,849
INSURANCE				-
				-
*Sub total*				61,673

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)	- - -
				-
				-
*Sub total*				-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*	56,814
				61,673

	- 10,240			19,735
	-			-
	63,974			63,990
	53,735			83,725

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Categories Details Unrestricted funds to nearest £ B1 Cash funds *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Unrestricted funds B2 Other monetary assets Details to nearest £ Balance at Bank 53,735 - - 53,735 OK - - - - - -	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Categories Details Unrestricted funds to nearest £ B1 Cash funds *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Unrestricted funds B2 Other monetary assets Details to nearest £ Balance at Bank 53,735 - - 53,735 OK - - - - - -
Details (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Balance at Bank	Unrestricted funds to nearest £	Restricted funds to nearest £	Endowment funds to nearest £ Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - OK - - - - - -
	53,735 - -	29990
		-
		-
	53,735	29,990
	Unrestricted funds to nearest £ OK - - - - - -	Agreement Error
		Restricted funds
Details	to nearest £ -	to nearest £ - - - - - -
	-
	-
	-
	-
	-

B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use	Details Details	Details Details	Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs	Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)	Current value (optional) Current value (optional) - - - - - - - -
					- - - - -
					Cost (optional)
					- - -


					-	-
					-	-
					- - - -	- - - -

B5 Liabilities

Details	Fund to which liability relates	Amount due (optional)	When due (optional)
		- - - - -

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

23/01/2026

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

Signature	Print Name Mrs Rehana Faisal	Date of approval

	Mrs Rehana Faisal

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

23/01/2026

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of The Raise Up Foundation On accounts for the year 31/03/2025 ended Set out on pages

Charity no 1188653 (if any) (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2025

Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Signed: Date: 23/01/2026 Name: Assan Shaukat Relevant professional ACCA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 220 Runley Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1UB

Section B Disclosure

CCXX R3 accounts (SS)

23/01/2026

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of N/A any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

CCXX R4 accounts (SS)

23/01/2026