CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 10 November 2021 To 30 Novèmbèr 2022 Charity name: THE OPEN MINDS PROJECT Charity registration number I q 92251 Objectives and Activities SORP re18renc8 Summary of the purposes of the Charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 To advan the educaticm of the publiG including children and young people in the lives of black people particularly but not exclusively by the provision of workshops, seminars, meetings. school programmes, reading groups and library facililies and in such other ways as the trustees see fft. Summary ofthe 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 (1) Sch¢)ol programme- supplied £4,367 (2021.. £3,913) worth of books to primary and secondary schools in Sussex to raise avreneSS and educate the children about different races and black British history. (2) The Brighton and Hove Teachers Book Club - This engaged 25 educato (teachers and SLT) from 17 schools in the city and I0 BHCC Advisors between March and Dernber 2022. There was an agreed scope explainiro the need and beneffts of running a tèacherfs book lub initially and following the wsitive feedback, a second cohort was approved. Participants received selection of contemporary. high quality, diverse books to use in the classroom by British Authors of Colour which they kept for their setting. The Book Club aimed to develop knowledge, practice and confidenGe in exploring diverse volces In Key Stsge 2 books in the classroom. It was funded by contract been Brighton and Hove city council, TOMP and 18 hours. (3) Hair Education festival - delivered an in- person workshop about posltive portrayal of Black hair. Invited a BlaGk hair stylist specialising in black and mixed-race hair to demonstrate da to da hair care ti
such as detangling. simple plaits & styling and using basic tools and products to use. {4) School talks- Delivered an in person talk focussed on similartties between Black and Caucasian folk mythology using superheroes at a Brighton secondary school as part of their Black History education in October 2022. (5) Through the charity's website and social media platfomis, we have raised awareness aboui black people (their history and contribution to so¢iety} and brilliant books by Black authors for le to read. All trustees have ensured there is public benefft to the work carried out through reference to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefft. Statement confim)ing whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on publi¢ benefit Para 1.18 Additional inforniation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant ab)ut: SORP ref8Fen Not applicable Part 1.38 Policy on grant making Not applicable Parn 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investrnent The Open Minds ProjeGt is 100% volunteer led. Some of the services provided include: administering the charity's activities., delivering its key activities to members of the public and schools; reviewing books and developing a curated list of books., issuing thought provoking statements throu h its social media latfoms. Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other Achievements and Perfomiance
The books provided to schools have made a difference in the lives of the Ghildren reading them. They see themsefves in the books and t reassures them of their belonging to the school and local community. The school staff have also been very grateful to see that beautifully vffiiten reference books and story books with diverse characters exisL It has saved them researching time and they can build the school's collection through this. 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. Pala 1.20 The teachers 0k club has equipped the teachers and students with ability to evaluate how balancedlaccurately various cultural groups are reflected in a book. It has provided them tools with which to balan any bias encountered in books, thereby ensuring a more accurate und8rstandiro of Black people. Addltional inlomiatlon (optlonal) You ma choose to include further statements where retevant about.. The books provided to schools portray Black people in an authentic way doing everyday activrties which help educate children and staff ab)ut Black people. Achievements against objectives set Par8 1.41 The bookclub provided teachers wrth tools to assess the quality of books they used and revealed various Black British authors across various subjects and genres whF(* they can explore for teaching topics in the dassroom. The school talks help address any stereotyped views that children and staff may have of Black people. The topics are fun for the children and focus on similarities rather than dfftreres Lb8&n Cultures. The workshops are held in communty events to support parents and children especially from mixed ethnic families by educating them about Black hair care. Perfomian¢e of fundraising activities against objectives set We continue to re1ve donations through ourjustgiving page, through local and national companies. The fundraisirKJ is 1000 used to buy books for schools. Para 1.41 Investment rfOrman against obj'ectives Not applicab Para 1.41 Other
Financlal Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the peri¢xl Para 1.21 At the end of the period, th8 charty had income of £10,336 (2021: £5,619), expendtture of £10.911 (2021.. £4,914) resutting in a deficrt of £575 (2021.. surplus of £705). The prior reseNe was utilised resulting in final surplus of £130 which matched the bank balancÉ as at 30 Novemtrer 2022. The reserve held is in line with the grantlfund requirement. For thi5 period, the reserve is the net of donations received. Statemènt explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Parn 1.22 The tharity intends to expand its activities through fundslgrants and will be making necessary applications to make this a possibilty. Amount of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going ¢oncem Para 1.22 £130 nla 2021.. £705 Para 1.22 Para 1.24 Par# t.r8 Additional information (optional) You ma choose to inGlude further statements where relevant about: Donations. directy and through Justgiving donation page. The Gharity's principal sour$ of funds (induding any fundraising) PaTr 1.47 The charity also received book donations from a local book store, Afrori books. These are passed on to schools 1 ¢)0% and not monettsed. Not applicable due to the nature of tho charity's obiectivos 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 Olher
Structure, Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts.. Type of goveming document iafter,, Para 1.25 The charity is a charitable incorporated anisation cio The charity is constituted as a CIO through its constitution dated 9 November 2020 How is the charity constilLrted? le.g unincorporaled Para 1.25 nirt Trustee selection methods Including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. eledion to post or name of any person or body entiled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 In line wlth the charitys tonstitution. trustees are appointed by a $Olution passed at a convened meeting of the Trustees. Additional inforniation (optional) You ma Ghoose to include further statements where reFevant about.. Trustees are provided with a copy of the constitution and the annual reports of the charity as part of their induction. Trustees are also refeed to The Charity Commissions, induding CC3a (Charity Trustee.. what's involved The charity is currently led by trustees in line wtth its constitution. In the future, r( is intended for the charity to have a management committee made up of volunteers who are not trustees. The activtties of the management committee will be subject to approval and governan by the trustees to ensure tt remains in line with the cha ose. 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 PaTr 1.51 Relationship with any related parties P8rn 1.51 Other Reference and Administrative details Chari name Other name th8 cha uses Reglstered charity number Charity's principal address Theo n Minds Pro TOMPUK 1192251 23 Laughton Road Brighton BN2 6QF
Names of the charfty trustees who manage the charity Dato8 actad If notfor whole Trustse name Office lif ary} Name of pwson lor body) entltl•d int trustee ifan Arienrhi Gra Toby Agbota Okojie Chair Adaeze Obasuyi Agnieszka O'sullivan Opeyemi Alabi- Hundeyin Secretary 10 orate trustees- names of directors at the date the re wasa roved Dirèetor name Name of trustees holding title to property tlOngIng to the charity Tnmtee name Datès acted rf notfor**1•
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets nla held in this capacity Name and objects ofthe 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 chartty's own assets nla Additlonal Infomiatlon (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optlonal InfornMllon) Type of Name Address adviser Banker The Cowoperative bank PO Box 250 Delf House Southway SkelmersdaFe WN8 6V4rr Name of chlef executlve or names of senior staff members (Optional infomMtion) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke rsonnel details Other o tional infonnation
Declarations Tho trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Slgned on behalf of the charity's trustees Slgnature(s) Full name(s) Posltlon leg Secretsryy Chair, etc) Arienrhi Grace Toby chair Date 22 September 2023