## Trustee’s Annual Report (01 October 2024 – 30 September 2025) **Charity name:** Hand to Hold ## **Registered Number:** 1194465 **Registration type:** Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) **Registered address:** 53 MEADOW ROAD, PINNER, HA5 1ED Trustees |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 focused on bringing the most suitable skillset for the CIO’s benefit and development. Relevant experience is considered as part of the selection process along with the results of DBS checks. 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: - a. organising, co-ordinating or connecting to online resources on counselling and psychological services; - b. researching and providing access to available mental health support materials and resources; - c. 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: - a. 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 providing or coordinating 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 charity continued to deliver the project _"Supporting Russian-speaking Families with Children with SEND in the UK"_ , funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. The project was awarded £55,424 over a two-year period commencing in 2024. This funding enabled Hand to Hold to expand and strengthen its support for Russian-speaking families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the UK. Services provided during the year included psychological support, educational webinars, social inclusion activities, and practical guidance for families navigating SEND-related challenges. Through this work, the charity helped reduce social isolation, improve emotional wellbeing, increase awareness of SEND rights and available services, and support families in accessing appropriate assistance. The project directly contributed to the charity's charitable objectives of promoting mental wellbeing, fostering social inclusion, and improving outcomes for disadvantaged families. The Trustees are grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for its continued support, which has enabled the charity to broaden its reach and enhance the range of services available to beneficiaries. ## _Psychological Support_ The charity continued to deliver regular psychological support groups facilitated by qualified and accredited psychologists. These sessions provided parents and carers with emotional support, opportunities for peer connection, and practical strategies for managing the challenges associated with raising children and young people with SEND. In addition, funding from The National Lottery Community Fund enabled Hand to Hold to increase access to individual psychological support for families experiencing financial hardship. Eligible beneficiaries were offered one-to-one counselling and tailored interventions designed to improve mental wellbeing, resilience, and coping capacity. ## _Educational and Information Support_ The charity delivered a programme of educational webinars and information sessions addressing topics of particular relevance to SEND families. Subjects included educational rights and entitlements, navigating statutory and voluntary support systems, and strategies for promoting family wellbeing. These sessions equipped parents and carers with practical knowledge and increased confidence in advocating for their children, helping them make informed decisions and access appropriate services. ## _Social Inclusion Activities_ Hand to Hold organised a range of social and community-based activities designed to bring families together and strengthen support networks. These events provided opportunities for parents, carers, children, and young people to connect with others facing similar experiences, helping to reduce isolation and foster a sense of belonging. The activities created a welcoming and supportive environment in which families could build relationships, share experiences, and develop lasting community connections. ## Financial Summary Most income during the year was received from The National Lottery Community Fund under the Reaching Communities/Partnerships programme. Expenditure was primarily incurred in delivering psychological support, social activities, webinars, legal support and operational costs. The year-end balance represents restricted funds that will be applied to project delivery during the remainder of the grant period. During the reporting period (1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025), Hand to Hold received £27,712 from The National Lottery Community Fund as part of a £55,424 grant awarded under the Reaching Communities/Partnerships programme for the project Supporting Russian-speaking Families with Children with SEND in the UK. Opening balance brought forward: **£8,851.84** Total income during the reporting period: **£28,923** Total expenditure during the reporting period: **£ 15,384** Cash at bank at the end of the accounting period: **£22,391.65** Conclusion The Trustees remain committed to developing and expanding the charity’s services for Russian-speaking families with children and young people with SEND. During the year, Hand to Hold strengthened its programme delivery through a combination of group psychological support, individual counselling, educational webinars and community-based social activities. The continued support of donors, volunteers and funding partners has enabled the charity to reach more families and provide meaningful assistance to those experiencing social, emotional and financial challenges. Looking ahead, the Trustees intend to continue building sustainable support programmes, strengthen partnerships with other organisations and increase access to specialist services for families most in need. Declarations ## **Signature** Full name: Anna Cook Position: Chair ## Receipts & Payments Accounts for the period 1 October 2024 - 30 September 2025 ## RECEIPTS and PAYMENTS |**Activities**|**Receipts**|**Payments**|**Net receipts**| |---|---|---|---| |Donations|1,211.48|-|1,211.48| |National Lottery Community Fund. Reaching|||| |Communities/Partnerships. (restricted funds)|27,712.00|-|28,923.48| |Psychological Support (restricted funds)|-|9,850.00|19343.48| |Social Events (restricted funds)|-|1,777.31|17566.17| |Webinars (restricted funds)|-|565.00|17001.17| |Legal Support|-|907.00|16,414.71| |Operational Expenses|-|2284.36|13,539.81| |**TOTAL**|**28,923.48**|**15,383.67**|| Statement of Assets and Liabilities Cash Funds. Bank Current Account: £22,391.65 Other Assets: £0 Other Liabilities: £0 Inde￿ndent F.i*miArr'• licp(irt ¢0 iht Tru*lrth iil114nd lu Ilijld ('1() I ol I1￿ l&ilJ ('li) foi th¢ fin•wl >¢¥ oth11(b )U75 1 in ￿'m4 nfth¢ ¢l¥Jm4 A aL¢rnWq yrlim 14¢ 1 ndcptnden¢ F.i*mipfr'4 lil4lrrnenl I wmpkn¢J rnj ol th¢ oi Ilathl ￿ Ikjld ('1(> cAded JO ¢pithIkn •014 14x•finn n*Dal lo m) •ll¢qMI *ith th¢ I miuiiyd h MX1MMI l JlJi¥l Ik h¥1 2011: 2 the *ith rt J thc JL• iiimpl! with thc ¢h¢ lÉm* •Jhl I hai¢ ￿1¢ &•*ne irfh¢r nkndirtS ID wilh ik eumin•lli the ¥c¢Kirtl4 ff&hrJ ()Iy kapyL￿.￿