2024-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From September 2023 to August 2024

Charity name: CultureAct

Charity registration number: 1191372

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	Culture Interaction – Foster cross cultural interaction for younger members of society – children, pre-teens, teens by providing a platform for children from diverse cultural heritage to engage in activities, events, sessions, talks etc to learn about their roots and also about others thereby empowering them and developing higher cultural awareness/quotient, respect and inclusion for others. Culture Action - To advance education of, and promote the awareness of arts, culture, and heritage for the public benefit through particular arts of performance, music, drama, poetry reading, painting and all other associated arts and encouraging public participation in arts and culture by staging concerts, performances, exhibitions, festivals and all other types of activities deemed appropriate in furtheringthepurpose.
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	Main activities planned and proposed to advance the purposes of the organization include: - Virtual events, webinars to celebrate world day celebrations that align with our purpose. - Engagement with schools to offer teaching materials, support and activities/events to expand awareness, knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultures. - Workshops to allow in person interaction to build networks and drive learning. - Virtual events providing education on soft skills - Etc.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	We confirm that we, the trustees of CultureAct charity, are aware of the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission and have taken it into account in decisions made when carrying out activities in pursuit of our purpose. The Trustees have complied with the duty

under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard for the public benefit guidance published by the Commission.

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

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	We are not a grant making body.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	We currently have a core team of 3 trustees and some volunteers who (on a need-to basis) support the planning, organisation and running of our virtual and in- person events. We are indeed grateful for their valuable contributions which ensure the success of these events.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	During the financial year from September 2023 to August 2024, the Charity continued to make meaningful contributions to the development and wellbeing of Afro- Caribbean children through its flagship initiative,You Be Excellent (YBE). This initiative, launched in July 2022, addresses gaps in soft skills development and wellbeing awareness, providing children with opportunities to build essential skills and engage in meaningful experiences that support their personal growth. The achievements of this year underscore our commitment to empowering our beneficiaries and creating a broader societal impact. Key Achievements 1.Empowering Afro-Caribbean Children through Events Over the year, the charity delivered a diverse range of events, both virtual and in-person, focusing on soft skills, personal development, cultural awareness, and career exploration. Highlights include:

	o Cultural Awareness and Expression:
	In September, the "My Culture and Me"
	summer challenge invited children to
	celebrate their heritage by creating and
	presenting posters that showcased unique
	aspects of their cultures. This activity fostered
	pride in their identities and encouraged
	intercultural learning among peers.
	o Goal Setting and Intentionality:
	October's "Vision to Succeed" session
	encouraged participants to set goals and
	embrace intentionality at the start of the
	academic year, promoting resilience and
	focus.
	o Personal Safety and Empowerment:
	The November event, "Kids that S.O.A.R,"
	educated children on safeguarding
	themselves and speaking up boldly, equipping
	them with vital life skills.
2.	Career Exposure and Inspirational Experiences
	We introduced a new series on future careers,
	beginning in March with the "Chat with Doc" session
	in May, where Dr. Chuka inspired children by
	sharing his journey to becoming a doctor. In June,
	Dr. Claire provided insights into balancing a career
	in public health with creative passions like fashion
	design, emphasizing the importance of nurturing
	diverse interests.
	Additionally, children participated in a guided tour of
	JP Morgan's Bournemouth campus in July,
	providing an early introduction to corporate
	environments and inspiring them to aspire toward
	professional achievements.
3.	Engagement through Creative and Recreational
	Activities
	In addition to structured learning events, the
	initiative emphasized creativity and recreation. In
	May, the charity organized a trip to Legoland
	Windsor, fully funded to ensure inclusivity. July's
	summer challenge encouraged children to write
	stories for publication, promoting literary skills and
	self-expression. Submissions were received in
	August with lots of enthusiasm and quality content
	for the age group.
4.	Grant Success and Program Sustainability
	In July, we secured grant funding to continue the
	YBE initiative, ensuring the program's sustainability
	and enablingits expanded reach.

1. Parental and Volunteer Collaboration In December, the End-of-Year General Meeting provided an opportunity to engage parents and volunteers. Discussions focused on event timing, communication strategies, and expanding reach. A poll was conducted to optimize the timing of virtual events, addressing feedback about accessibility and audience participation. Impact on Beneficiaries and Society The charity’s efforts have made a tangible difference in the lives of Afro-Caribbean children. Participants gained confidence, developed soft skills, and were inspired to explore future opportunities. Parents reported enhanced engagement and motivation in their children, while the wider community benefited from increased cultural awareness and the promotion of inclusive narratives. Wider Societal Benefits By fostering creativity, cultural pride, and a sense of empowerment, the charity has contributed to building a generation of resilient and ambitious young individuals. The organization's programs have not only equipped beneficiaries with practical skills but have also helped them envision brighter futures, creating ripple effects that benefit society as a whole.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	Objective 1: Expand the Reach of You Be Excellent (YBE) Initiative This year, we continued to successfully expand the reach of the YBE initiative, engaging more children and families in the Afro-Caribbean community. Through a combination of virtual and in-person events, we were able to connect with a broader audience and provide meaningful learning experiences. A key highlight was the partnership with JP Morgan in Bournemouth, which facilitated a guided site tour for 24 children in July 2024. This collaboration offered participants unique insights into a professional environment and expanded their horizons regarding future career possibilities. Objective 2: Foster Holistic Development Through Diverse Topics We made significant progress in fostering holistic development by addressing a broad range of topics aimed at enhancing children’s personal growth and self- confidence. ● Cultural Awareness and Identity:The "My Culture and Me" challenge in September 2023 helped children connect with their heritage and celebrate their identities.

		● Personal Development:Workshops like "Vision to Succeed" in October 2023 encouraged goal-setting and intentional living, while "Kids that S.O.A.R" in November empowered children with safeguarding knowledge and communication skills. ● Career Awareness:This year saw the introduction of a career exploration series, starting with sessions like "Chat with Doc" and "Developing Your Creative Passion," inspiring participants to dream big and pursue diverse opportunities. ● Recreation and Creativity:Activities such as the summer writing challenge underscored the importance of creativity and fun in learning.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	We did not set specific fundraising objectives this year; however, our success in securing grant funding in July 2024 ensures the continued sustainability and growth of the YBE initiative.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	N/A
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Our policy is to maintain a sufficient balance in the account at all times to meet basic operational needs while actively sourcing grants for our main projects. The level of reserves tied to unrestricted funds is reviewed regularly as part of our cost monitoring and reporting processes. This ensures that the reserve level remains

		appropriate and aligned with the charity's evolving income levels and financial obligations.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£1,485 A transfer of £1,407 was made from restricted to unrestricted funds bringing the total reserves held to £1,485. This adjustment was necessary to ensure proper allocation of resources for operational needs and aligns with the guidelines of our funding agreement.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	None.

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

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Grants
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	N/A
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The primary risk facing the charity is the challenge of securing a sustainable and stable income source to effectively deliver on our objectives. This risk impacts our ability to plan and execute long-term initiatives and meet the evolving needs of our beneficiaries. To mitigate this, we actively seek grant opportunities, and explore opportunities to build strategic partnerships.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	‘Foundation’ model constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
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	Trustee composition has been on self- nomination/appointment.

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	Trustees are introduced to applicable policies and procedures as outlined by the Charity Commission. While formal training has not yet been implemented, trustees are supported with relevant resources to understand their roles and responsibilities effectively. .
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The charity operates with a team of three trustees who serve in a voluntary and unpaid capacity. In addition, a dedicated group of volunteers assists in organizing and stewarding the charity's activities, ensuring the effective delivery of our initiatives.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	N/A
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	CultureAct
Other name the charity uses	N/A
Registered charity number	1191372
Charity’s principal address	CultureAct 61 Bridge Street, Kington. HR5 3DJ

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	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	Chinyere Eke
	Chika Gana
	Bodunrin Akinyanju

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	N/A
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 adviser Name Address	Type of adviser Name Address	Type of adviser Name Address
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) Chika Nwaoma Gana

Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair, etc)

Date 13 February 2025

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Charity Name: CultureAct
Charity Number: 1191372
Receipts and Payments Accounts
For the period from Sep-23 To Aug-24
Unrestricted Restricted
Total funds
funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
Opening Balance 134 2,502 2,636
Receipts
National Lottery Community Fund - 10,000 10,000
Total receipts - 10,000 10,000
Payments
YBE Project Running Costs - -934 -934
Web Hosting Subscription -56 - -56
Zoom Subscription - -162 -162
Total payments -56 -1096 -1152
Movement of Funds 1,407 -1,407
Closing Balance 1,485 10,000 11,485
Signed by one or two trustees on
Signature
behalf of all the trustees
Chika Nwaoma Gana
24th January 2025
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