
## **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<br>the charity as set out in its<br>governing document|Para 1.17|Culture Interaction – Foster cross cultural interaction for<br>younger members of society – children, pre-teens,<br>teens by providing a platform for children from diverse<br>cultural heritage to engage in activities, events,<br>sessions, talks etc to learn about their roots and also<br>about others thereby empowering them and developing<br>higher cultural awareness/quotient, respect and<br>inclusion for others.<br>Culture Action - To advance education of, and promote<br>the awareness of arts, culture, and heritage for the<br>public benefit through particular arts of performance,<br>music, drama, poetry reading, painting and all other<br>associated arts and encouraging public participation in<br>arts and culture by staging concerts, performances,<br>exhibitions, festivals and all other types of activities<br>deemed appropriate in furtheringthepurpose.|
|Summary of the main<br>activities in relation to those<br>purposes for the public<br>benefit, in particular, the<br>activities, projects or<br>services identified in the<br>accounts.|Para 1.17 and<br>1.19|Main activities planned and proposed to advance the<br>purposes of the organization include:<br>-<br>Virtual events, webinars to celebrate world day<br>celebrations that align with our purpose.<br>-<br>Engagement with schools to offer teaching<br>materials, support and activities/events to<br>expand awareness, knowledge and appreciation<br>of diverse cultures.<br>-<br>Workshops to allow in person interaction to build<br>networks and drive learning.<br>-<br>Virtual events providing education on soft skills<br>-<br>Etc.|
|Statement confirming<br>whether the trustees have<br>had regard to the guidance<br>issued by the Charity<br>Commission on public<br>benefit|Para 1.18|We confirm that we, the trustees of CultureAct charity,<br>are aware of the public benefit guidance issued by the<br>Charity Commission and have taken it into account in<br>decisions made when carrying out activities in pursuit of<br>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<br>including program related<br>investment|Para 1.38|N/A|
|Contribution made by<br>volunteers|Para 1.38|We currently have a core team of 3 trustees and some<br>volunteers who (on a need-to basis) support the<br>planning, organisation and running of our virtual and in-<br>person events. We are indeed grateful for their valuable<br>contributions which ensure the success of these events.|
|Other|||



## **Achievements and Performance** 

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





||`o`<br>**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`<br>**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`<br>**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.|





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





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



## **Financial Review** 

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





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



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

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





## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

|Description of charity’s<br>trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing document<br>(trust deed, royal charter)|<br>Para 1.25|‘Foundation’ model constitution|
|How is the charity<br>constituted?<br>(e.g unincorporated<br>association, CIO)|Para 1.25|CIO|
|Trustee selection methods<br>including details of any<br>constitutional provisions e.g.<br>election to post or name of<br>any person or body entitled<br>to appoint one or more<br>trustees|Para 1.25|Trustee composition has been on self-<br>nomination/appointment.|



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

||||
|---|---|---|
|Policies and procedures<br>adopted for the induction<br>and training of trustees|Para 1.51|Trustees are introduced to applicable<br>policies and procedures as outlined by the<br>Charity Commission. While formal training<br>has not yet been implemented, trustees are<br>supported with relevant resources to<br>understand their roles and responsibilities<br>effectively.<br>.|
|The charity’s organisational<br>structure and any wider<br>network with which the<br>charity works|Para 1.51|The charity operates with a team of three<br>trustees who serve in a voluntary and<br>unpaid capacity. In addition, a dedicated<br>group of volunteers assists in organizing<br>and stewarding the charity's activities,<br>ensuring the effective delivery of our<br>initiatives.|
|Relationship with any<br>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<br>61 Bridge Street,<br>Kington.<br>HR5 3DJ|



## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

|1<br>2<br>3<br>4<br>5<br>6<br>7<br>8<br>9<br>10<br>11<br>12<br>13<br>14<br>15<br>16<br>17<br>18<br>19<br>20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**<br>**year**|**Name of person (or body) entitled**<br>**to appoint trustee (if any)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Chinyere Eke||||
||Chika Gana||||
||Bodunrin Akinyanju||||
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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<br>held in this capacity|N/A|
|---|---|
|Name and objects of the<br>charity on whose behalf the<br>assets are held and how this<br>falls within the custodian<br>charity’s objects||
|Details of arrangements for<br>safe custody and<br>segregation of such assets<br>from the charity’s own<br>assets||



## **Additional information (optional)** 

## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** 

|**Type of**<br>**adviser **<br>**Name**<br>**Address**|**Type of**<br>**adviser **<br>**Name**<br>**Address**|**Type of**<br>**adviser **<br>**Name**<br>**Address**|
|---|---|---|
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|**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 




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


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