## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

The trustees of the charity presents their annual report and the financial statements for the year to 31 March 2025. 

## **Structure, governance, and management** 

Rise Futures is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and was registered by the Charity Commission on 18 March 2021. 

It has a Trustee Board which was elected at its first Annual General Meeting on 7 December 2020 and is ultimately accountable for the conduct of the organisation. 

Trustees formally meet on a quarterly basis with day-to-day operations managed by one of the trustees, Sarah Hunter. Risks are identified and recorded on a risk register that is discussed and updated during the quarterly trustee meetings. 

Rise Futures works with a number of local authorities and businesses to identify suitable young people for paid business placement opportunities. Rise Futures also works with a variety of individuals who act as a business mentor to those involved in placement programmes. 

Several of the businesses that Rise Futures work with are connected with one or more trustees as set out below: 

- Paul Hood is employed by and is a director of Yondr Group Limited, a company which has provided placement opportunities and financial contributions to Rise. 

● Matt Roche is the Operating Partner of Cathexis. Cathexis owns Yondr, of whom provides placement opportunities, volunteer time and financial contributions to Rise Futures. 

- Chanelle McKeon is executive assistant to Matt Roche 

Serving trustees in the reporting period were: 

Matthew Roche (appointed March 2021) Paul Hood (appointed March 2021) Chanelle McKeon (appointed March 2021) Sarah Hunter (appointed March 2021) 

## **Objects, activities and performance** 

The object of Rise Futures is to act as a resource for young people living in England and Wales by providing advice and assistance and organising programmes of physical, educational and other activities as a means of: 



1. Advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals; 

2. Advancing education; 

3. Relieving unemployment. 

The trustees believe that Rise Futures’ objectives are satisfied by providing opportunity 

and support to care-experienced 17 to 24 year-olds who are looking to enter a working 

environment. Our 16-week paid opportunity placements offer young people the scaffolding to change direction, breaking down barriers and supporting them to access 

their safe and fulfilling futures. This is achieved by creating safe working environments 

and mentors who provide support and assistance in entering and understanding the norms of a work environment. 

Specifically, Rise Futures’ paid placement opportunities enables young people to: 

1. Understand the work environment and different careers. 

2. Understand the value of money and how to spend / save it wisely. 

3. Have the belief, awareness and motivation to gain employment. 

4. Develop soft workplace skills - time management, attitude, listening and speaking skills, work ethic, teamwork, decision making, problem solving. 

In the period to 31/03/2024 - 31/03/202 Rise Futures arranged placement opportunities 

for 6 young people. In the same period, Rise Futures also commenced stage interventions (i.e. meeting with young people to understanding their needs and aims, providing general support, guidance and mentoring) with 12 young people. 

Due to a change in the financial commitments from our corporate sponsor, Rise Futures, the charity ceased its service delivery operations in September. As a result, our trustee board has decided to allocate remaining grant funds to complementary charities, which will receive donations to support their ongoing initiatives. The charity is on track to close in 2026. On Your Turf was the first charity to receive a donation under this new arrangement, marking the beginning of our targeted charitable support in this transitional period. 

## **Financial Review** 

Rise Futures’ principal sources of funds come from corporate donations. Funds are also sourced from formal and informal fundraising activities (e.g. sponsored events) undertaken by Rise Futures’ trustees and volunteers. 

Budgets are prepared on an annual basis and reviewed at the quarterly trustee meetings. Rise Futures’ policy is to maintain sufficient funds for the following 12 months 

of anticipated expenditure. The main categories of expenditure are salaries of Rise 



Futures’ employees and the salaries paid to young people during their 16-week business placement opportunities. 

## **Statement of Trustees' responsibilities** 

The Trustees are required by law to prepare financial statements for each financial year 

which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity as at the end of the 

financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity. 

In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 

- state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to 

- any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue its work. 

The trustees are also responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and 

which are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and enable them to 

ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 / Charities Act 2031, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of 

the charity's constitution. 

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities, this report was approved by Sarah Hunter. 

Sarah Hunter 

Trustee