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2026-03-31-accounts

The Raise Up Foundation

Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts For the period: 1st April 2025 – 31st March 2026

Reference and Administrative Details

Registered charity name: The Raise Up Foundation
Charity registration number: 1188653
Principal address: The Raise Up Foundation, 5 All Saints Close (off Solway Road
North), Luton, Bedfordshire, LU3 1FA
Website: www.raiseupluton.co.uk

Structure, Governance & Management

Trustees (as of 31 March 2026) Mrs Rehana Faisal, Mr Saif Ali, Mr Sarmad Sajid Khan, Mr
Shazam Mahmood, Mr Aamir Malik, Miss Anna Kayani.
Structure: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Governing document: Constitution

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.

Adopted policies:

Objectives and Activities

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, educational and other activities as a means of: (a) advancing in
life and helping young people develop skills, capacities and capabilities
enabling them to participate in society as independent, mature and
responsible individuals; (b) advancing education; (c) relieving
unemployment; (d) providing recreational and leisure-time activities in
the interests of social welfare to improve quality of life for those
experiencing disadvantage.
What we do Education & training
Advice, advocacy and guidance
Positive activities for development
Targeted interventions for young people needing additional support
Community support to relieve hardship (community café, clothing and
food 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 (2025–2026)

IGNITE – Launch of a Flagship Youth Entrepreneurship Programme

A major development this year was the launch of IGNITE, a free six-month youth entrepreneurship programme for young people aged 14–18 in Luton. IGNITE empowers young people to develop bold, practical entrepreneurial ideas addressing a real-world social challenge, with this cohort focused on improving health outcomes in Luton. The programme was developed in collaboration with business sector experts and school careers leads.

Recruitment took place through extensive engagement with Luton schools and colleges in autumn 2025, with the programme launching in early 2026. Key features include:

Intended outcomes include the development and strengthening of core employability skills, an

entrepreneurial and adaptable mindset, youth-led local health and mental health initiatives, increased confidence and resilience, and a stronger understanding of the careers landscape through site visits and networking with mentors and the business community.

Our launch event took place in January 2026, with 300 attendees, including young people, their families, school representatives, business leaders and local dignitaries.

The trustees gratefully acknowledge the support of Bedfordshire Freemasons and Home Efficient Limited, whose funding and support made the IGNITE programme possible.

Raise Up Café – Free Community Café & Hardship Support Hub

The Raise Up Café was launched in January 2025, operating at the centre on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as a free community café, providing a warm, welcoming and non-stigmatising space for local families and individuals. The café also acts as a broader hardship support hub:

The café has a current footfall of around 40 visitors, on average, per month.

Ansar Ventures – Leadership, Mental Health & Civic Engagement Programme

Ansar Ventures, our high-intensity leadership development programme for young men aged 14–24, recruited its 2025 cohort over the summer (applications closing July 2025) and continued to deliver weekly workshops, one-to-one coaching, community projects, workplace visits and accredited qualifications.

A landmark project this year saw participants working to establish Luton's first-ever endowment fund — the Luton Endowment for Advancement & Progress (LEAP) — a lasting initiative to help, support and strengthen the community, with intended beneficiaries including Luton Foodbank, employment and housing

causes. Students learned about the purpose and benefits of endowments and the principles of ethical investing, heard from inspiring guest speakers, and organised their own fundraising day.

Building on previous cohorts, participants have delivered youth-led projects on drugs and substance misuse (including a large-scale community survey with Public Health teams, a social media campaign, and Luton's first youth-led drugs awareness conference with senior leaders from Luton Borough Council, the Police & Crime Commissioner and health services), mental health (Level 2 Mental Health First Aid accreditation, contributions to Russell Group university research, school talks to audiences of 200+, and live podcasts).

15 young men took part in the programme in this cohort. The trustees gratefully acknowledge the support of the KindGiving Foundation, whose grant made the Ansar Ventures programme possible.

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

The charity continued to run structured holiday club programmes during school holiday periods, combining fun activities with educational enrichment, including team-building, sports and physical activity, creative arts, communication skills and problem-solving challenges. This includes expert GCSE exam tuition and support.

The trustees gratefully acknowledge the support of Active Luton and the Department for Education, whose funding through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme enabled us to deliver our holiday clubs, including the provision of nutritious meals to participating children and young people.

Homework Help & GCSE Revision Support

Throughout the year the charity provided free homework help and GCSE revision support, giving young people a calm, supported space to study outside of school. Sessions offered practical help with homework across a range of subjects, alongside targeted revision support in the run-up to exams, delivered by experienced teachers, tutors and volunteers. The support was designed not only to strengthen subject knowledge but also to build confidence, independent study habits and exam readiness — particularly for young people who may not have access to quiet study space, resources or tuition at home

UCAS Application & Apprenticeship Application Support

Recognising that the transition beyond school is a pivotal moment, the charity offered dedicated support to young people navigating both university and apprenticeship routes. This included one-to-one guidance with UCAS applications and personal statements, help exploring course and university choices, and practical support with apprenticeship applications, CVs and interview preparation. Particular care was given to young people who are the first in their family to apply to university or to pursue an apprenticeship, helping to demystify the process and ensuring that a lack of family experience or professional networks was not a barrier to ambition.

Mentoring & Educational Support for Young People and Families

The charity provided mentoring and tailored support for young people — and their families — facing challenges with schooling and education. Through one-to-one mentoring, young people experiencing difficulties such as disengagement, low attendance, risk of exclusion or wider barriers to learning were offered consistent, trusted relationships and practical guidance to help them re-engage and progress. Recognising that a child's education cannot be separated from their home context, the charity also worked alongside families, offering advice, advocacy and signposting, and helping to strengthen the link between home and school. This holistic approach aimed to keep young people in education, raise aspirations and ensure that families felt informed, supported and empowered.

Islamophobia Awareness Month

During Islamophobia Awareness Month, the charity supported a series of events organised and led by young people themselves. This was an issue our young people chose to lead on because it affects them directly, and giving them ownership of the response reflected our wider commitment to youth voice and leadership. Through their own planning, organisation and delivery, participants raised awareness, encouraged open conversation and fostered greater understanding within the community — while developing valuable skills in leadership, event management and public engagement along the way.

Plans for the Coming Year (2026–2027)

Looking ahead, the Raise Up Foundation intends to continue responding directly to the emerging needs and feedback of the young people and families we serve. Key priorities include:

Financial review

During the year the charity received total income of £107,856 (2024–25: £81,408) and incurred total expenditure of £90,465 (2024–25: £61,674), resulting in a net surplus of £17,391. Total funds carried forward at 31 March 2026 were £101,116 (£54,478 unrestricted and £46,638 restricted). The charity remained financially stable, supported by grants, individual donors, community fundraising and in-kind contributions.

Reserves

Our reserves limit is currently £25,000. We aim to hold an amount of reserves that is proportionate to what is required to continue our existing operations for a period of up to six months, and to respond to any urgent operational needs that may arise due to unexpected financial implications.

At 31 March 2026 the charity held unrestricted funds of £54,478. Although these reserves are held as unrestricted funds, the trustees have designated approximately £30,000 of this amount to sustaining the charity's regular, ongoing provision, so that these services can be maintained without interruption while longer-term funding is secured. The remaining balance is held as general free reserves in line with the reserves limit set out above.

As a small charity, we rely on grants, donations and community fundraising, which can be irregular and difficult to secure with certainty from year to year. Holding an appropriate level of reserves therefore helps safeguard our regular provision against short-term gaps or delays in funding. Our reserves limit will be adjusted accordingly as our work progresses, and this will be reflected in our Reserves Policy. Income from all sources is principally used to further our charitable purposes and benefit those we work with.

Grants, contracts and donations

We are extremely grateful for the grants and funding we have been awarded this year:

We are also grateful to our individual donors and to everyone who supported our community fundraising during the year.

In-kind support

A final thanks to the partners and local organisations who have supported our work, giving their time, expertise and resources in-kind and helping to reduce the cost of delivering our activities:

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above. Signed on behalf of the trustees:

Full name: Role Signed: Date: Mrs Rehana Faisal Chair of Trustees 28.07.2026

Receipts and payments accounts

The Raise Up Foundation — Charity number 1188653. For the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Unrestricted
funds (£)		 Restricted
funds (£)		 Endowment
funds (£)		 Total funds
(£)		 Last year (£)
Receipts
Donations 73,061 34,795 - 107,856 81,408
Total receipts 73,061 34,795 - 107,856 81,408
Payments
IT costs 3,087 - - 3,087 248
Casual wages 6,361 18,148 - 24,509 11,486
Wages – payrolled 6,315 - - 6,315 16,952
Utilities 4,324 - - 4,324 3,573
HMRC – PAYE - - - - 3,150
Cleaning 1,585 - - 1,585 1,844
Event costs 5,459 - - 5,459 9,685
Donations (payments) - - - - 70
Stationery 206 - - 206 436
Training 234 - - 234 360
Legal & compliance 32,442 - - 32,442 400
Rent 12,246 - - 12,246 12,849
Insurance 57 - - 57 621
Total payments 72,317 18,148 - 90,465 61,674
Net of receipts / (payments) 744 16,648 - 17,391 19,734
Cash funds last year end 53,735 29,990 - 83,725 63,990
Cash funds this year end 54,478 46,638 - 101,116 83,725

Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Unrestricted funds (£) Restricted funds (£) Endowment funds (£)
Cash funds — balance at bank 54,470 46,629 -
Total cash funds 54,470 46,629 -
Other monetary assets - - -
Investment assets - - -
Assets retained for the charity's own use - - -
Liabilities - - -

Notes on the accounts

Print name: Mrs Rehana Faisal

Signature:

Date: 28.07.2026

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Raise Up Foundation

on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2026

Charity number: 1188653

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2026.

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation 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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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.

reached.
Signed: Name: Date:
Assan Shaukat 28.07.2026

Relevant professional qualifications or body (if any): ACCA

Address:

220 Runley Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1UB