Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1st November 2022 To 31[st] October 2023
Charity name: Update Stoke-on-Trent
Charity registration number: 1197899
Objectives and Activities
The relief of persons in need by reason of visual impairments or reading difficulties, in particular but not exclusively in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, by the provision of a Talking Newspaper and Entertainment content.
This is achieved by the recording of programmes by volunteers, which is then distributed via memory sticks for subscribers to listen to on sound boxes provided by the charity. The recordings are also uploaded for access through the charity’s website and through smart speakers (eg Amazon Alexa).
The programme content is wide ranging, from news items (both national and local), sport, reviews of TV shows plays and films, readings of poems and short stories, and quizzes. It means that those with sight loss or reading difficulties receive this in an audio form, from one source which the majority receive visually form a variety of sources,
This is managed by the Production Co-ordinator, Tim Calvert, for which he is paid an annual fee, plus travel expenses.
Achievements and Performance
2022/2023 was a year of consolidation after the upheavals of the previous 2/3 years. A total of 25 programmes were recorded over the year, averaging nearly one every two weeks, with a total of 754 recordings distributed averaging 30 per programme. The programmes have also been listened to online via our website and through smart speakers. A plan will be drawn up to increase the take up in the near future. A new volunteer has taken up a role increasing the number to ten. More volunteers are needed for various positions and this will be addressed.
Financial Review
This year has seen an increase in income by 15% and a reduction in expenditure by 9%, resulting in a surplus of just over £1400. Donations increased by 22%, which given the present economic climate, is very gratifying and thanks must go to our supporters. Once again Update is grateful for the support received from the National Lottery and also the Cooperative Bank who provided a grant for equipment.
Once again the main expenses are for rent and the production manager’s fees. Although there has been an improvement in finances, there are no reserves held at present, but we are looking to address this in the near future.
Structure Governance and Management
The Charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), whose only voting members are the charity’s trustees, and the governing document for which is a Foundation Model Constitution.
The trustees are appointed for a 3 year term at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. Any new/additional trustees would be appointed in the same manner on the basis of having the skills, knowledge and experience required for the effective administration of the CIO. They would also be provided with a copy of the constitution and copies of the latest Trustees Report and Statement of Accounts.
Reference and Administrative details
Charity Name: Update Stoke-on-Trent
Other Name Charity uses: Update Talking Newspaper
Registered Charity Number: 1197899
Charity’s Principal Address: Suite 5
The Forecourt 12 Albion Street Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1QH
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Name Office Held Dates Acted (If not for whole year) 1 Clifford Hathaway Chairman 2 Stephen Legge Treasurer 3 Teresa Boothby Trustee
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature
Full Name Clifford Hathaway
Position Chairman
Date
STOKE4)N.TREMf UPDATE TALKING NEWSPAPER Statement of Account Year Ending 31110123 RECEiiyrs Donations Grants £11.490.CKJ TOTAL £11.940.IX) PAYMEKrs Business Rates Rent Equipment Weblsoftware Expenses Stats'onery Project Fees Tim Calvert Travel Expenses Tim Calvert £148.87 £4,320.CK) £48.51 £462.96 £210.45 £4,5.(M) £542.78 Miscellaneous £360.78 Radio Times RefreshmentsiEnt Postage Insurance £158.95 £15.50 TOTAL £10.594.35 SUMMARY Opening Balance as at 1111122 £11,94G.00 £10.594.35 £16.49 £1.701.33 Expenditure Pety Cash (rim) Closing Balance as at 31110123