**Trustee’s Annual Report (01 October 2022 – 31 September 2023)** **Charity name:** Hand to Hold **Registered Number** : 1194465 **Registration type** : Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) **Registered address:** 53 MEADOW ROAD, PINNER, HA5 1ED ||**Trustees:**||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Name**|**Role**|**Date of appointment**||| ||Anna Cook|Chair|14 May2021||| ||Anna Starikova|Trustee|14 May2022||| ||Dina Khomyak|Trustee|14 May2021||| ||||||| ## **Trustee selection process:** The Trustees selection process is focussed on bringing the most suitable skillset for the CIO’s benefit and development. The relevant experience is being considered as a part of the selection process along with the results of the DBS check. No new Trustees joined the Charity during the reporting period. ## **Charity’s purpose:** The relief of those in need for the benefit of the public who are Russian-speaking and are disadvantaged due to child or young adult ill health or other disadvantage (regardless of their nationality and religion) through the provision of advice and guidance, grant funding and through the provision of facilities for recreation and leisure time occupation in the interest of social welfare and to improve the conditions of life of those persons for whom facilities are provided. ## **How the charity is managed:** The CIO is managed by the Board of Trustees. ## **Objectives and summary of activities:** Hand to Hold’s objectives include 1. The promotion and protection of the mental health and well-being of Russianspeaking families of children and young people with SEND by the provision of counselling and support through: • organising, co-ordinating or connecting to online resources on counselling and psychological services; - researching and providing access to available mental health support - materials and resources; - organising or coordinating provision of psychological support, including - counselling by licensed counsellors; 2. The promotion of social inclusion amongst Russian-speaking families with children and young adults with SEND in the UK who are socially excluded from society, or parts of society by: • Creating and co-ordinating opportunities for social interaction, including events, forums and other forms of social interaction; 3. Promotion of awareness and education in SEND law and parents’ rights of Russianspeaking families with children and young people with SEND by the providing or coordinating provision of SEND legal support, including advice by qualified solicitors and specialists with expertise relating to SEND children and young people; ## **Achievements:** During the reporting period the CIO delivered various activities for the beneficiaries, including **Psychological support groups** : we've had 6 blocks of psychological support sessions facilitated by 3 highly experienced Russian speaking psychologist. Each block consisted of roughly 8 sessions and each group had between 8 and 10 participants. We have a waiting list from parents to take part in our sessions **Webinars:** CIO conducted a webinar for parents, focused on helping them understand an anxious child **Christmas Party:** CIO organized a Christmas party for children with SEN needs and their parents ## **Social Media Presence:** 572 people following Hand to Hold Facebook Page ## **Reviews from parents (translated from Russian)** - “ [The psychologist’s name] does a wonderful job with the group, and I wanted to express my immense gratitude for being able to participate in it. This is my first time participating in [the psychologist's name] group, and it happened at a critically important time for me when support was and continues to be greatly needed. I understand that if the funding is not extended, this will be the last group. I sincerely hope that funding will be found to continue these groups. With best wishes and hope of these wonderful sessions to be continued.” - “ Last Monday was the last official meeting of the Hand to Hold group. Only one session remains as a gift, generously provided by [the psychologist’s name]. I know I've already written my review about the significance of this group's existence for me, and undoubtedly for others as well. In addition to what has already been said, I would like to add that I really like the name of the group itself. Attending the sessions, I imagined that in difficult moments, there is a hand extended to me for support. This is so important. I sincerely hope that the group will continue to exist because, in my opinion, it is crucial to carry on. I don’t have many Russian-speaking friends with children with SEN, so I reached out to other members of our group asking them to spread the message about donations and I made a donation myself. Best wishes ” - “Very supportive and friendly space to share and feedback. I thank the organizers and psychologists for conducting the psychological support course. Each meeting covered a specific topic that resonated with each parent. The confidentiality rules ensured that information was kept within the group, which greatly facilitated open conversation. Very useful sessions and a wonderful experience! Some sessions raised pressing topics that I had not considered before. Other people's experiences also provided much food for thought. There were sessions where I received almost personal consultations with psychologist [name], working through old personal traumas. And of course, the most valuable part was the communication with other parents like myself.” ## **Financial Summary** During the reporting period (1 October 2022 – 31 September 2023) Hand to Hold has received in total £1850.75 in charitable donations from individuals (via Justgiving and other platforms). The charity overall costs amounted to Our expenses amounted to: £8292.14 Cash at bank at the end of accounting period: £2229.43 ## **Conclusion:** Due to the cost-of-living crisis, the charity wasn’t able to achieve its fundraising target for the year. The Trustees submitted applications for various grants and prioritised securing more stable sources of funding. The Trustees remain committed to expanding the support the charity provides by increasing a number of psychological support groups and by being able to offer individual support to individuals. ## **Declarations** **Signature Full name** Anna Cook **Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)** Chair ## **Hand to Hold** Receipts & Payments Accounts for the period 1 October 2022 - 31 September 2023 ## **RECEIPTS and PAYMENTS** |**_Activities_**|**_Receipts_**|**_Payments_**|**_Net Receipts_**| |---|---|---|---| |Donations|£1800.75|-|£1800.75| |Psychological|-|£6500|-£4,699.25| |Support Groups|||| |Christmas Party|£50|£616.24|-£5,265.49| |Operational|-|£775.90|-£6,041.39| |Expenses|||| |Advertisement|-|£400|-£6441.39| ## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities** Cash Funds. Bank Current Account: £2229.43 Other Assets: £0 Other Liabilities: £0