2024-04-05-accounts - Dress IT Forward

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 6[th] April 2023 Period start date To 5[th] April 2024 Period end date

Charity name: Dress It Forward

Charity registration number: 1189810

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The relief of financial hardship among disadvantaged and impoverished individuals living in South Africa by providing such persons with formal clothing (including but not limited to outfits for graduation celebrations or job interviews) which they could not otherwise afford. The prevention or alleviation of poverty either generally or individually, of people living in South Africa, by providing: grants and services to charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The charity sources and collects donations of second-hand, formal clothing (especially prom dresses and suits) from within the UK. Using partner organisations it then distributes this clothing to disadvantaged and impoverished individuals living in South Africa, allowing these individuals to attend their high school graduation ceremonies and so inspiring the next generation of pupils. During the financial year 2023 to 2024, the charity continued to fundraise to replenish funds following its first two years that had been significantly negatively impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. More expenses were incurred and we were able to give grants to the charity Dress It Forward SA in

		order to fulfil our objectives.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The charity supports and benefits those living in poverty or facing financial hardship, especially but not limited to, graduating high school students. We rely on trusted partner organisations (i.e. the South African registered non-profit organisation ‘Dress It Forward SA’) to manage the donations once they arrive in South Africa and distribute them to the appropriate recipients. We do not means test the individuals who receive our donations but instead operate on a trust basis in terms of assessing financial hardship. We target poor communities and schools with a high level of students living in poverty and therefore ensure that the clothing reaches those who need it most. To qualify for clothing, students must be in Grade 12 in the year that they choose their outfit. They also need to provide a copy of their ID and proof that they are in matric (the final two years of high school). This could be either their latest school report or a letter from the school confirming their attendance. Other non-student recipients of clothing (e.g. those in need of clothing for job interviews, weddings or other church services) will be referred direct to us from other organisations or individuals who will testify to their need on a case by case basis. We have found this to be a successful way of operating. The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference The charity provides grants to charities and organisations in South Africa share our objectives and can carry out this work on Para 1.38 our behalf, i.e. those who can administer Policy on grant making and manage our donations of clothing once they have arrived in South Africa. The

charity has an already established working relationship with the South African registered NGO ‘Dress It Forward SA’ but may also use other organisations that have been approved by our trustees. Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment All the charity’s activities are undertaken by volunteers, there are no paid staff. Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference Trustee Annual Report Year: 2023–2024 Summary of Achievements Summary of the main During the financial year 2023–2024, achievements of the charity, Dress It Forward (DIF) made significant identifying the difference the Para 1.20 strides in both our local and international charity’s work has made to activities, positively impacting the lives of the circumstances of its our beneficiaries in South Africa and beneficiaries and any wider strengthening our connections in the UK benefits to society as a and beyond. whole.

Key Achievements

Expanding Our Reach

	○	This year, DIF gained a
		volunteer representative in
		the United States, enabling
		the collection of dresses
		from a new region. These
		donations are shipped
		directly to South Africa,
		increasing the diversity and
		quantity of outfits available
		to disadvantaged students.
		Notably, this expansion
		incurs no additional financial
		overhead for the charity.
2.	Community Engagement and
	Fundraising

○	Our annual quiz night and
	the Bath Half Marathon
	fundraiser proved highly
	successful. These events
	collectively raised
	substantial funds,
	contributing significantly to
	our operational budget. The
	Bath Half Marathon was
	particularly impactful, with a
	dedicated full-time volunteer
	overseeing the event,
	easing pressure on trustees
	and boosting event
	efficiency.
○	With these successful
	events, we have established
	a reliable and repeatable
	income stream, ensuring
	financial sustainability.

3. Strengthening Operations in South Africa

The South African NGO, Dress It Forward SA (DIFSA) , who we have given grants to with the remit of achieving our own charity’s objectives, achieved a milestone by

		securing dedicated
		premises and employing a
		full-time staff member. This
		development has enhanced
		their operational capacity,
		allowing for the distribution
		of over 620 outfits this year
		—a record-breaking
		achievement.
	○	These outfits provided a
		lifeline to many families,
		covering 80% of the matric
		class at one high school. As
		DIFSA grows in reputation,
		their ability to support
		communities continues to
		expand.
4.	Promotional Efforts and
	Educational Outreach

We launched targeted school talks in the UK, reaching new audiences and fostering partnerships. Schools such as St Laurence in Bradford-onAvon have demonstrated enthusiasm for supporting our mission, with plans to act as key sponsors moving forward.
A unique tagging system was introduced to track individual donations from the UK to recipients in South Africa, ensuring transparency and enhancing donor satisfaction.
Leveraging Media and Social Platforms
This year, we worked with a professional editor to create short video clips from our documentary footage. These engaging 15-second clips are now being shared on social media to increase visibility, inspire new supporters, and attract

	donations.
Impact	on Beneficiaries and Society
●	For the beneficiaries in South
	Africa, a donated dress or suit
	means far more than an outfit. It
	symbolises hope, achievement, and
	a brighter future. Attending the
	matric dance is a profound
	milestone for students in the Cape
	Flats and other disadvantaged
	communities, showcasing their
	determination to overcome
	significant socioeconomic
	challenges.
●	By alleviating the financial burden
	on families, DIFSA enables these
	students to celebrate their hard-
	earned success without incurring
	further hardship. The ripple effect is
	profound: younger community
	members witness these
	celebrations and are inspired to
	remain in school despite the
	obstacles of poverty, gangsterism,
	and teen pregnancy.

Environmental Benefits

Through our work, DIF contributes to the reduction of textile waste. In line with WRAP’s statistics, our efforts prevent significant volumes of clothing from ending up in UK landfills, aligning with broader sustainability goals.

Next Steps

Moving forward, we aim to address challenges such as transport logistics in South Africa and security at DIFSA’s new premises. We are also exploring opportunities for expanding our reach into rural areas, where access to resources is even more limited.

In conclusion, 2023–2024 was a year of rebuilding, innovation, and impact. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, supporters, and partners, DIF continues to empower young South Africans, one dress

at a time. Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: Our objectives were to establish a premises this year in South Africa and we did this and managed to employ a part-time member of staff in addition (via DIFSA). Achievements against objectives set Para 1.41 We raised a total of £9028 this financial year which surpassed our objective to raise £6000 to enable us to open a premises in South Africa. Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41 Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41 Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity had funds of £??? at the end of the financial year
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The charity intends to hold in reserve funds equivalent to four months operating costs, to cover unforeseen costs, uncertainties about inflation and possible shortfalls in expected income.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£0
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	The charity’s income is currently too low to be able to hold reserves, but in future, it is the intention for the charity to hold in reserve funds equivalent to four months operating costs, to cover unforeseen costs, uncertainties about inflation and possible shortfalls in expected income.
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The charity’s principal sources of funding were donations from individuals via sponsorship, fund-raising events and legacy donations: 64% of our income came from individual sporting sponsorships 15% of our income came from a single legacy donation 15% of our income came from one fundraising event 6% of our income came from corporate sponsorship

Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The uncertainties about future inflation may mean that the running costs of the premises in South Africa that we fund through grants to ‘Dress It Forward SA’ become higher than the charity has budgeted for. The prolonged “cost of living crisis” may lead to lower donations than the charity has budgeted for.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	All trustees are appointed by the members. There are no ex-officio or nominated trustees.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51

Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Dress It Forward
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1189810
Charity’s principal address	17 Pulteney Gardens Bath BA2 4HG

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Nam e of pers on (or body ) entitl ed to appo int trust ee (if any)
	Georgina Short	Chair
	Sharon Jelf	Treasurer
	Alexandra Ensom
	Tine Stapelfeldt

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Georgina Short Sharon Jelf Position (eg Chair Secretary, Chair, etc) Date

	Dress it Forward	Dress it Forward	Dress it Forward	1189810
	For the period from	4/6/2023	To	05/04/22024

Section A Receipts and payments

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Bath Half Marathon Donation 7,243 Quiz Ticket Sales 1,715 other income - easyfundraising 70 - - - - 9,028 - - Sub total - Total receipts 9,028 A3 Payments - Charitable Donations to South Africa 7,600 Advartising 1,308 Shipping 120 Printing& computer costs 330 Bank/Finance charges 47 - - - Sub total 9,405 - - Sub total - Total payments 9,405 Net of receipts/(payments) - 377 A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end 8,274 Cash funds this year end 7,897 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ *Sub total*(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)	to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Restricted funds	to the nearest £ Endowment funds	Total funds to the nearest £ - 7,243 1,715 70 - - - - 9,028 - - - 9,028 - 7,600 1,308 120 330 47 - - - 9,405 - - - 9,405 - 377 - 8,274 7,897	Last year to the nearest £
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			7,243	-
			1,715	-
			70	-
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			9,028	-

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			7,600	-
			1,308	-
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			330	-
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			9,405	-

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		-	9,405	-

	-	- - - -	- 377	-
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	-		8,274	-
	-		7,897	-

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees	Details Details Details Details Details Signature *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))	to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - Agreement Error OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Print Name Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional)	to nearest £ Endowment funds
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			Date of approval