Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] November 2023 To 31[st] October 2024
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
Our organisation has endeavoured to both continue and improve our service to users under challenging circumstances.
A fourth trustee (Kath Brookes) joined in June and we meet regularly to monitor our activities, plan our progress and engage with our producer who continues to exploit all possible platforms to share the programme online.
We reached many new listeners accessing the programme via smart speakers or smart phones.
Consequently the need for postal pouches has declined which is advantageous saving volunteer time for preparation and allowing us to purchase fewer pouches and memory sticks.
Over the year we issued our talking newspaper fortnightly, each edition, lasting four hours. We continually attempt to recruit more volunteers to improve our output and to assist with technical and administrative duties.
We plan to seek regular feedback from listeners to inform our plans for the future. Overall it has been another productive year thanks to the splendid efforts of our producer and all our volunteers.
Financial Review
There has been a 10% increase in income this year, due to improved grants . Donations fell, slightly, (£450 to £415) which given the economic climate is understandable. Expenditure grew by 15% caused by 17% rise in rent with the same percentage rise in Tim Calvert’s Fees and Travel Expenses. However, the travel expenses does include an amount prepaid for up to the end of June 2025.
Although the end of year bank balance is healthier than the previous year, this includes a sum of £1200 pre-allocated for new computers and a printer.
A bid is being prepared to be presented to the National Lottery Reaching Communoties Fund for funding to cover a 5 year period, which should also help us to provide reserves to be held of which there are none at present.
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 | |
| 4 Katherine Brookes | Trustee | 6thJune 2024 |
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature
Full Name Cliff Hathaway Position Chairman Date 21[st] May 2025
sToKE4)N-TREr UPDATE TALKING NEWSPAPER Statement of Account Year Ending 31110124 RECEIPTS Donations Grants £415.00 £12.740.00 TOTAL £13,155.00 PAYMEKrs Business Rates Rent Equipment Web Sitel Software Expenses Stab'onery Project Fees Tim Calvert Travel Expenses Tim £165.18 £5,040.00 £16.75 £505.36 £150.95 £5.IXX).00 £891.24 Miscellaneous Radio Tirnes Refreshments TNF Subscripts'on Postage Parking Fine Insuran £418.37 £103.30 £132.22 £42.00 £9.85 £35.00 £96.lJ) TOTAL £12,187.85 SUMMARY Opening Balan as at YIU2023 Income Expenditure Petty Cash (rim) Closing Balance as at 3111012024 £1.701.33 £13,155.00 £12.187.85 £26.97 £2.658.00