Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From Period start date 1[st] January 2023 To Period end date 31[st] December 2023
Charity name: Bridging Barriers
Charity registration number: 1196973
Objectives and Activities
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Our primary focus lies in empowering these young individuals to unlock career opportunities through personalised mentoring, bolstering their confidence and resilience. Our program is designed to nurture their full potential by providing personalised support and connecting them with real-life role models who equip them with the tools, resources, and mindset required to thrive in their chosen fields. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
By offering tailored 1-on-1 guidance, we equip our candidates with the necessary hard and soft skills, while fostering robust employment networks that expand their access to opportunities. We also offer virtual masterclasses and networking events to supplement mentoring to aid in the development of knowledge and skills of young people |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Yes, as an organisation we are aware, and we utilise the guidance regarding the delivery of our services. |
Achievements and Performance
| 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. |
The below are the main achievements of Bridging Barriers. All the initiatives below were geared at increasing the employability, building the professional networks and increasing career knowledge of young professionals and mentees Launched the Turning Point Programme The Turning Point programme is our flagship programme that runs over two cohorts (November and February) over the course of a 12-month period. This involves: Mentoring, Virtual Masterclasses and Networking events Mentoring Mentees can acquire personalised guidance from a dedicated career mentor to support both their personal and professional development. Mentees will receive insights on topics such as CV and cover letter optimisation, as well as participate in mock interviews with their mentors to refine their skills. Mentoring currently takes place on our mentoring platform which facilitates texts, calls and the matching process of mentees and mentors. Virtual Masterclasses These are online sessions conducted by industry experts to offer detailed insights and valuable knowledge on professional and personal topics. Virtual masterclasses offer mentees a chance to learn directly from seasoned professionals, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of their desired industries. The virtual format also allows for accessibility and flexibility, with mentees being able to attend from any location. Networking Events These are in-person events that allow mentees and mentors to build valuable social capital. We aim to host four networking events annually to serve as a platform for mentees and other members of the Bridging Barriers community to connect with peers, industry professionals and potential employers. We aim to create a unique and dynamic environment that encourages the formation of meaningful connections and the broadening of professional networks. Mentees can also explore possible employment opportunities and receive career advice through these events. Conducted Insight days Bridging Barriers and Lloyds Banking Group With 50 Bridging Barriers mentees present at a Lloyds Banking Group Office, mentees engaged in a CV and Interview Workshop aimed at increasing the chances of securing a role in the banking industry. We also had the chance to hear a panel discussion from senior leaders at Lloyds which included their career journeys thus far, how they have overcome adversities faced in the workplace, and the importance of having a mentor. BNY Mellon |
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|---|---|---|
25 of mentees had the opportunity to attend an insight day hosted by BNY Mellon in which they had the opportunity to listen to a panel discussion titled "Navigating your career" and engage in a networking session.
The panel discussion highlighted key aspects of thier operations in building a robust system for exceptional client experience, building trust and protecting investor assets. The panel also shared advice to our mentees based on their experiences in corporate and emphasized the importance of self-discovery and leveraging one's strengths and being proactive in their career.
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
We turned over £25,000 at the end of 2023, and this was income generated through grants from trusts and foundations, as well as individual and corporate donations. |
|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Our reserves policy states that we ought to hold reserves for a minimum of three months, which we believe is sufficient to cover ourselves in the face of unforeseen events. |
|
| Amount of reserves held | 18527.79 | |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
N/A | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
N/A | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
N/A |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Structure, Governance and Management | Structure, Governance and Management |
|---|---|
| Description of charity’s trusts: Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) CIO Foundation model How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) CIO Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees The charity trustees have signified agreement to the resolution in a document which has been authenticated by their signature, by a statement of their identity accompanying the document or documents, or in such other manner as the charity trustees have previously resolved, and delivered to the CIO at its principal office or such other place as the trustees may resolve |
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| Description of charity’s trusts: |
|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
CIO Foundation model |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
The charity trustees have signified agreement to the resolution in a document which has been authenticated by their signature, by a statement of their identity accompanying the document or documents, or in such other manner as the charity trustees have previously resolved, and delivered to the CIO at its principal office or such other place as the trustees may resolve |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Bridging Barriers | |
|---|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A | |
| Registered charity number | 1196973 | |
| Charity’s principal address | BB, PO Box 59099 London E13 3EX |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrea Charles Fidelis |
N/A | Whole year | Kevin Osei |
| Folayemi Ojo | N/A | Wholeyear | Kevin Osei |
| Michael Adesite | N/A | Wholeyear | Kevin Osei |
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved – N/A
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity – N/A
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Kevin Osei
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Adesite Full name(s) Michael Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 30/07/2024
BRIDGING BARRIERS 1196973 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 1/1/2023 12/31/2023 To from
Section A Receipts and payments
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to the nearest | £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A1 Receipts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individual Donations CorporateDonations Grants |
13,335 6,500 - |
5,208 | - - - |
13,335 6,500 5,208 |
- - - |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 19,835 | 5,208 | - | 25,044 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (see table). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub total | - |
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Total receipts ** | 19,835 | 5,208 | - | 25,044 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A3 Payments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accountancyfees Bank Interest& Charges Insurance Printing &Postage Rent/hire of rooms ITsoftware Otherdirectcosts |
35 118 192 204 494 350 |
150 186 750 2,494 995 |
- - - - - - - |
35 150 118 378 954 2,988 1,345 |
- - - - - - - |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Sub total ** | 1,392 | 4,575 | - | 5,967 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A4 Asset and investment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| purchases, (see | table) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Computer equipment | - | 549 | - | 549 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | 549 | - | 549 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Total payments ** | 1,392 | 5,124 | - | 6,516 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Net of receipts/(payments) ** | 18,443 | 85 | - | 18,528 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A5 Transfers between | funds | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A6 Cash funds last year end | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Cash funds this year end ** | 18,443 | 85 | - | 18,528 | - |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | Endowment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | funds | funds | funds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **to nearest ** | £ | **to ** | nearest £ | to nearest £ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B1 Cash funds | 18,443 | 85 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cash funds | 18,443 | 85 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (agree | balances with receipts | and payments account(s)) |
OK | OK | OK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| funds | funds | funds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Details | to nearest | £ | to | nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B2 Other monetary assets | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B3 Investment assets | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B4 Assets retained for the | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| charity’s own use | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fund to which | Amount due | When due | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Details | liability relates | (optional) | (optional) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B5 Liabilities | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Signature | Name | Date of approval |
| Print Name | Date of approval |
| michael adesite 30 July2024 |
|
| 30 July2024 | |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name BRIDGING BARRIERS members of On accounts for the year 31 DECEMBER 2023 Charity no 1196973 ended (if any) Set out on pages
(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2023 DD / MM / YYYY .
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed: Mabel Balogun Date: 31 JULY 2024
Name: MABEL BALOGUN
Relevant professional FCCA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 18 WOODFIELD AVENUE, WEMBLEY HA0 3NR
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
1
October 2018
IER
Give here brief details of N/A any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
October 2018
IER